Under the patronage of His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the world-leading charity with more than a century of experience in improving health and safety worldwide, is strengthening its presence in the Middle East.
As part of its global strategy, which has seen RoSPA grow from its roots in the UK to operating in over 60 countries worldwide, the charity has convened its first Safety Summit 2025 in Dubai, bringing together policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders from the GCC and beyond to explore practical solutions to the most pressing local and international safety challenges.
RoSPA has long championed accident prevention at work, at home, on the road, and during leisure time. Its plans to strengthen its presence in the GCC follow the success of its annual Dubai-based Awards Ceremony. Launched in 2022 to complement RoSPA’s long-running London ceremony, the Dubai ceremony offers the growing number of Awards entrants from the Middle East and further afield the opportunity to celebrate their success closer to home. Building on this strong foundation, RoSPA aims to expand its training, qualifications, and advisory services, demonstrating its role as a long-term partner in helping organisations embed a robust health and safety culture.
“RoSPA’s mission is simple yet vital – to reduce accidents and save lives,” said Becky Hickman, Chief Executive Officer, RoSPA. “The Middle East is a dynamic region with high growth and high-risk industries. By working with partners, regulators and organisations here and abroad, we can help embed robust safety cultures that go beyond compliance, protecting not only employees but also their families and communities.”
As part of its regional strategy, RoSPA is:
- Expanding its network of approved training centres across the GCC to deliver qualifications at scale, particularly in driver training.
- Collaborating with major organisations and regulators including IOGP, ADNOC, Shell, BAPCO, SAPTCO and Emirates Transport Services.
- Strengthening its long-standing partnership with NEBOSH, whose Chief Quality Officer, Dee Arp, is contributing to the Safety Summit programme and chairs the judging panel of the RoSPA Awards.
- Promoting a “whole-life” approach to safety, recognising that 80% of accidental deaths among working-age people occur outside the workplace, often at home or on the road.
Matt Cryer, Head of Awards at RoSPA, added: “The RoSPA Awards are a benchmark of excellence, encouraging organisations to reflect on their safety performance and celebrate progress. By hosting a dedicated ceremony in Dubai, we are recognising the significant contributions of organisations in the GCC and reinforcing the value of sharing best practice across industries and borders.”
Penny Brookes, Driver Qualifications Portfolio Manager at RoSPA, commented:
“Road safety and defensive driver training are critical in this region, where transport and logistics underpin so much of the economy. By expanding our network of approved centres and training programmes, RoSPA aims to reduce accidents and give organisations the confidence that their drivers are meeting world-class standards.”
The Safety Summit 2025, held in partnership with NEBOSH, reinforces RoSPA’s role as a trusted authority in health and safety and its commitment to supporting organisations in the GCC and elsewhere with sustainable, evidence-based solutions.
“Accidents are not inevitable,” added Hickman. “By sharing knowledge, setting standards and celebrating excellence, we aim to build a safer, healthier and more sustainable future for all.”
The Summit is followed by the RoSPA Awards 2025 Dubai Ceremony on 25 September, which receives almost 2,000 entries annually from over 50 countries, covering over seven million employees across 20 industry sectors, making the RoSPA Awards the world’s largest health and safety awards programme.
