Step Change in Safety announces successor

Craig Wiggins, former head of HSE & ESG at NEO Energy, is announced as the new Executive Director of Step Change in Safety. Mr Wiggins succeeds Mr Steve Rae, following his 4-year tenure.

Step Change in Safety is pleased to announce Craig Wiggins as the successor to Steve Rae as Executive Director of Step Change in Safety.  In a career spanning almost 40 years, Mr Wiggins has extensive industry experience having held senior leadership positions in operator and contracting companies both internationally and in the UK. 

Talking of his appointment Craig says, “I am honoured to be appointed as the Executive Director of Step Change in Safety. To pick up the baton from Steve Rae is rather daunting as he has done a fabulous job over his tenure. In those four years, Step Change in Safety played its part through the pandemic, changed its articles of association to focus on enhancing safety across the energy sector and built international relationships. I am pleased to say that Steve will still be part of Step Change in Safety's journey as we go forward, and his advice and guidance will remain vital.

“I have been involved with Step Change in Safety's leadership team and board since 2016, and I know that it plays a vital part across our industry. It is a unique organisation where the industry, trade unions and our regulators come together to positively influence the energy industry’s safety culture through active leadership, member collaboration and workforce engagement. 

“My focus in the early days of my appointment will be to meet as many members and stakeholders as possible to understand the challenges we face together. The most important stakeholders are our offshore workers, those at the front line who are at the heart and the bedrock of our industry. 

Craig concludes, “From these engagements we will refresh our strategy to ensure that we meet our membership needs whilst supporting our members navigate the energy transition. There is over 25 years of learning within Step Change in Safety that can be utilised in supporting safety across a range of industries supporting the energy transition and I am looking forward to playing my part in that journey. I am honoured, energised and can’t wait to get started.”

Mr Rae took the decision to reduce his working time and will exit the Executive Director role in October.  He will remain involved with Step Change in Safety as a board member, while also continuing to provide expert advisory services.

Commenting on Craig’s appointment, Mr Rae says, “After a thorough and robust process in the search for a successor, it gives me great comfort to know that I can hand over the baton to Craig. I can step away knowing that the organisation is in very safe hands. I look forward to remaining on the board and continuing to provide support and guidance during this period of transition and in the future.”

Dave Allan, Managing Director of professional executive recruitment firm GTL Search, who was tasked with finding the right successor, says, “Finding the right candidate for this job was always going to take time and focus as this is a high profile and high impact role operating in a complex stakeholder environment. We were looking for an experienced leader with a solid reputation, expertly informed on safety culture but most importantly, passionate on all matters of safety. Mr Wiggins ticked all those boxes with over thirty years of experience at Shell, as well as holding previous positions with Petrofac, bp, Aker and formerly NEO Energy. Mr Wiggins is widely respected in the industry, and we look forward to watching him drive Step Change in Safety forward and to build on the work Steve has championed these last four years.  

For further information on Step Change in Safety visit https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/

About Step Change in Safety

Step Change in Safety is the UK Offshore Energy industry’s member-led safety organisation.  Founded in 1997 by the oil and gas industry trade associations, it continues to ensure that the UK offshore energy industry maintains an acute focus on delivering safe operations.