Topic Schools and Colleges, HS&E
Date 04 Aug 2025
Galliford Try was proud to host the latest Department for Education (DfE) Health, Safety and Quality Forum at Merrist Wood College in Guildford, as part of Galliford Try’s ongoing commitment to working collaboratively to promote health, safety, and excellence across the industry.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the DfE and its supply chain partners, with attendance from the HSE for a day focused on collaboration, safety culture, and continuous improvement.
The day kicked off with a welcome from Dan Taylor, Head of Framework Performance at the DfE and Jan Baker, Head of Construction Health, Safety, Quality and Workmanship, who set the tone for the event, emphasising the importance of partnership and shared learning across school and college projects.
A guided tour of the Merrist Wood College construction site by the Galliford Try project team followed, demonstrating how the business’s people-first approach to health and safety is embedded on-site.
The afternoon featured key discussions on critical health and safety themes with highlights including a cultural safety session, a presentation about occupational health, and a talk led by Jan Baker on the theme of Women in Construction.
Spencer Harris, Construction Manager for the DfE, shared insights on emerging quality themes across DfE projects, followed by a H&S data update from Agwunobi Nwabue, Health, Safety and Quality Manager.
Commenting on the event, Matthew Cain, Head of HS&E for Galliford Try, said: “It was a privilege to host the DfE’s latest Health, Safety & Quality Forum and bring together the DfE’s supply chain to talk about our number one priority - delivering safely. We’re grateful to all the presenters for their inspiring and passionate insights on how we can all work together to continue raising the bar and thank them for choosing our site to host this important event.”
Jan Baker, Head of Construction Health, Safety & Quality for DfE, added: “What a fabulous day! It was great to have so many DfE Panel Members together in one room to collaborate on health, safety and quality, which is always our top priority. I was able to highlight the People Protection Act 2023 regarding sexual harassment where the industry must do more for employees, particularly women. Some excellent presentations and learning across the day. A big thank you to HSE for their attendance and culture presentation and to Galliford Try for hosting the event.”
Delivered in partnership with Activate Learning, the DfE and the multi-academy trust, the Merrist Wood project includes two new teaching blocks and a large specialist greenhouse.
These new facilities being delivered by Galliford Try Building Southern will enhance the college’s focus on horticulture and land-based education, with advanced digital technologies enabling flexible course delivery.