Falck Safety Services Strengthens Its Management Team

A leading survival and health and safety training firm has strengthened its management team with two key appointments as it continues to experience significant growth in the UK.

Falck Safety Services Strengthens Its Management Team

Falck Safety Services (Falck), which has 30 training centres across the world, including three UK centres in Aberdeen and Teesside, has appointed Mike Eriksen as business development director, while Nick Hobdey joins the Teesside base as HR Manager.

Falck, which was first launched in Teesside in 1994, and five years later in Aberdeen, has strong expertise servicing the global oil and gas, shipping, renewable energy, military and aviation industries.

Mr Eriksen, 49, brings more than 20 years of business development experience from the healthcare sector and will work primarily from the Aberdeen-based centre at Dyce. He will focus on growth in new markets, and further enhance the firm’s business opportunities in workplace safety, maritime and healthcare.

Mr Eriksen said: “Falck is renowned as an established world leader in survival and health and safety training so it is exciting to be in a role that could positively influence the future direction and growth of the business. It is a fantastic opportunity to be working with an industry leading company as it continues to develop its services into new areas and new countries.”

Working from the firm’s Teesside base, Mr Hobdey, will utilise his previous experience working in various HR positions for large pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies, to deliver a professional HR, and the skills development of the workforce.

Mr Hobdey added: “I am extremely pleased to be joining such an ambitious, forward thinking company that has a strong reputation in the UK and worldwide. It is a really exciting time to be joining an organisation that is continuing to go from strength to strength with a commitment to developing its workforce, which is in line with my professional approach to HR.”

Falck Safety Services, which delivers realistic training in a safe and controlled environment using state-of-the-art equipment and simulators, has recently invested more than £3.5m in its UK training facilities, including a new man riding crane equipment, crisis management, fire and wind energy safety training capabilities.

Managing director at Falck, Colin Leyden, said: “As we continue to grow and expand our business worldwide, it is imperative that we have a key people in place to support our vision.  Mike’s appointment is important as we begin to develop into other areas for safety services, in addition to our traditional markets. Both appointments will undoubtedly strengthen our resources and services, and help to develop/support our strategic growth plans for the business.” 

Press release, July 07, 2014; Image: Falck