At Portfolio, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture where safety, wellbeing and continuous improvement are at the heart of our operations. One individual who has truly embodied this ethos is our QHSE Business Partner for London, Iwona Ryszka. We are thrilled to announce that Iwona has been nominated for the prestigious Rising Star award at the Safety & Health Excellence Awards 2025, a recognition that speaks volumes about her transformative impact on workplace safety and wellbeing.
A commitment to safety and excellence
Since stepping into her role in November 2023, Iwona has been a driving force in reshaping health and safety practices across our London operations. Through her proactive approach, she has implemented strategies that have not only improved compliance but also fostered a culture of accountability and prevention.
One of her key achievements has been revolutionising near-miss reporting. By introducing targeted training sessions for managers and directors and setting clear goals, she elevated London to become the best-performing region in near-miss reporting within just a few months. Her hands-on approach has empowered teams to identify potential hazards before they escalate, significantly reducing risks across multiple sites.
Jackie Knight, Transactional HR Shared Service Manager, shared:
“Iwona has aligned the London team and set clear goals and expectations. She has created a really strong support function where there wasn’t one previously. She has made H&S interesting and visible. Iwona has delivered bite-sized training sessions that were followed up with statistics and data to prove success. She is out in the field following up and checking safe practices and sharing best practices across the network. Iwona’s passion for health and safety is so apparent; she lives and breathes this and is constantly educating herself further to be able to share her knowledge with her team and peers.”
Innovating for a safer workplace
Iwona’s innovative mindset has been instrumental in modernising our safety protocols. She spearheaded the introduction of a digital near-miss reporting system and real-time dashboards, allowing managers to analyse trends and implement timely interventions. These tools have transformed reactive safety measures into proactive strategies, setting a new benchmark for health and safety within the company.
Her training initiatives have also been a game-changer. In 2024 alone, she delivered 27 tailored sessions covering critical topics such as hazard awareness, sharps safety, and risk assessments. By incorporating virtual reality training experiences, she has made learning more engaging and impactful, strengthening employee understanding and commitment to safety.
Jodie Phillips-Turner, Operations Director, noted:
“Iwona came into the London business and reviewed all our training and policies to ensure they are up to date. She openly looked for any gaps and ensured that training sessions were booked in where required to ensure we are compliant. Iwona improved our near-miss reporting by encouraging others to report and ensuring everyone takes accountability, which in turn has significantly created safer environments and minimised risks. Iwona gets the whole team involved and supports them with any queries or concerns they have, which is hugely required for H&S. With every new contract win, Iwona will always be first on site for a walkaround to review the health and safety requirements. Whether it’s a small office with minimal risks, she always wants to be part of the team and ensure she knows what’s happening there.”
Collaboration and client engagement
What truly sets Iwona apart is her ability to foster collaboration. She has built strong relationships with both employees and clients, ensuring that safety remains a shared responsibility. Her engagement with clients includes tailored training sessions, such as allergy awareness workshops, designed to address specific workplace risks.
She has also championed ergonomic assessments and site-specific risk analyses, providing practical solutions to enhance working conditions. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed—colleagues and clients consistently praise her for her approachability, responsiveness, and unwavering commitment to their wellbeing.
Petya Dimitrova, Account Director, said:
“Never have I been captivated more by a health and safety manager in a meeting to an extent that I focus on everything they say. The way Iwona speaks with passion about her subject captures everyone’s attention and initiates conversations on the subject at hand. Correct and updated documentation and the training that is implemented to ensure our team’s knowledge on RAMS and COSHH have made a tremendous impact. Thanks to Iwona, our managers are more knowledgeable on what they need to do to ensure their teams work safely and report any potential issues that can turn into accidents if neglected.”
Delivering measurable results
Iwona’s initiatives have had a tangible impact on workplace safety. The results speak for themselves:
- Near-miss reporting rates in London have surged by 207%, surpassing company targets and setting a new standard for proactive safety management
- Trend analysis from digital dashboards has supported the successful rollout of initiatives like the 2024 “Never Miss a Slip” campaign, focusing on slip and trip prevention
- Ergonomic assessments and tailored training programmes have directly improved working conditions and safety awareness across multiple sites
A true rising star in health & safety
Iwona’s nomination for the Rising Star award is a testament to her relentless drive, innovative thinking, and deep-seated commitment to health and safety. Her ability to engage, inspire and deliver results sets her apart as a true leader in her field.
Sarah Mcleod, Regional Director, said:
“What has made the biggest difference is the proactiveness and responsiveness from Iwona on all queries and questions. She is always on hand to answer any question, however small, from me and my team. She is so helpful in supporting onsite training, site visits to help the teams prepare for audit, as well as pre-mobilisation visits for new contracts and joining client meetings. There’s never any blame culture, just solutions! Reporting and management information data has improved exponentially since Iwona joined the London team, which supports us in managing our requirements and our teams in delivering what they need to, so we’re all protected.”
At Portfolio, we are incredibly proud of Iwona and her outstanding contributions. Regardless of the award outcome, she is already a winner in our eyes, making a lasting impact on our business and the health and safety sector as a whole.
