Thinking back, many of us can pinpoint one or two people who have helped steer us onto a better path in health, safety & wellbeing.

They might have enlightened us with new knowledge, or inspired us to take a different approach, or encouraged us to get into H&S in the first place.

I invite Forum members to think who that person was for you, and to acknowledge them here. Name the person and in one paragraph explain how they have influenced you.

I’ll kick off with a bit of a cheat (because I’m a journalist, not a H&S practitioner).

The late Tony Reid, who died in February, was my journalism teacher at AIT (as it was – now AUT). He taught us the basics of news reporting, feature writing and profiles. He also showed us – from his time at The Listener – how print media could set the agenda. He is acknowledged as the finest feature and profile writer of his or any other generation. It was a privilege to have him as a mentor and friend.