Speaker Bio’s
Explore the expertise and insights of our conference speakers who will share their knowledge, perspectives and valuable insights.
Keynote Speakers
Paul Verrico
Eversheds Sutherland
Paul leads Eversheds Sutherland's Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) team. He is also a Solicitor-Advocate, a Chartered Member of IOSH, a qualified teacher and a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.
An Environmental, Health and Safety Partner within the Litigation practice, Paul is also international head of the EHS team. He has worked exclusively in this area since qualifying in 2006 and has been a Partner since 2016. He is a ‘one firm man’.
Paul can advises across the full spectrum of EHS investigation and compliance globally. This includes Police, HSE, OSHA, HSI, EA or similar authority investigation following injury, fatality or environmental spill, system resilience, deep dive review, safety improvement planning or executive coaching.
Outside of advising clients, Paul has been instrumental in developing guidance for leaders, assisting IOSH with its investigation guide and is a regular contributor to industry publications such as SHP and IOSH magazine. Paul is highly sought after on the speaking circuit and often addresses directors and boards on safety culture.
Philip is a Partner in the Regulatory team of Eversheds Litigation and Dispute Management group.
Philip specialises in corporate criminal defense work, regulatory advice and non-contentious compliance work. He has experience in health and safety (in particular, work-related fatalities and serious injuries), environmental, deaths in custody, care homes and healthcare, product liability, operator licensing, maritime and road traffic.
He has been involved in the accident investigation process and has assisted with the management of post-incident actions following workplace fatalities on numerous occasions. He has also experienced the prosecution process, including dealings with the HSE, environment agency and police. He has attended the Crown Court and the Employment Tribunal with Counsel. He has also appeared himself in front of Magistrates' Courts, Coroner's Courts and Traffic Commissioner Inquiries on a number of occasions.
In addition to corporate defense work, Philip has significant experience in non-contentious and compliance work, including reviewing health and safety management systems, advising on product conformance issues and licensing requirements.
Eversheds Sutherland
Phil Crosbie
Hannah Ault
Ceramics UK President
Hannah Ault proudly serves as the first female President of Ceramics UK, bringing with her a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the future growth of the British ceramics industry.
With extensive experience in ceramics manufacturing and business leadership, Hannah is widely respected for her leadership as Managing Director of Valentine Clays and has played a pivotal role in the company’s success by championing sustainable practices, supporting emerging makers, and promoting UK ceramics on a global stage.
Hannah’s appointment marks a significant and progressive chapter for Ceramics UK. Her mission is to cultivate a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for the sector, one that thrives on collaboration, supports the next generation of makers, and leads with purpose.
Francis Morrall
Chair of the Pledge Board
Francis Morrall’s 36-year career in the ceramic industry began in 1979 when he joined Wedgwood as a Trainee Industrial Relations Officer. On leaving Wedgwood six years later he was appointed Industrial Relations Officer for the British Ceramic Confederation (now Ceramics UK) and was subsequently promoted to Employment Director with responsibility for eight industry wages agreements. From this, his portfolio extended to health and safety, helping to introduce the Ceramic Industry Health and Safety Pledge. In 2009 he was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief Executive where his role was expanded further to embrace other issues including food contact legislation. His career has given him extensive experience of all ceramic sectors both at home and abroad, particularly in his role as Chair of the Cerame-Unie Environmental Committee
Elizabeth Hyde
Director at Hesper GRC
Before retraining in psychology, Elizabeth worked as a health and safety lawyer at a top 10 international law firm and spent nearly 17 years defending organisations against criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Hesper GRC offers training and consultancy services on psychological safety, leader behavioural integrity, and psychology for EHS professionals, lawyers and investigators.
Michael Bone
Director of Inspections at HSE
Speaker bio coming soon
Darren Sutton
Performance Psychologist
Darren is usually happiest when he is either by the sea, at a live music concert or helping leaders and their organisations become the very best that they can be.
He is a Performance Psychologist who works mostly with leadership teams around the world in the areas of safety, health and wellbeing and has held a variety of operational leadership roles in some of the most challenging and competitive environments in the world.
Hobbies include travel, ocean swimming and live music.
He's an in-demand Keynote Speaker, a creator of innovative and highly acclaimed online learning programs and still delivers groundbreaking live courses that totally change the way leaders, managers and their organisations think, feel and act with regard to safety, health and wellbeing.
He is also the only safety professional in the world who holds an MSc in performance psychology and has extensive operational leadership experience across many different cultures.
