Richard Amado

Results-driven Health & Safety leader with 9+ years of regional and international H&S management across the UK, Spain, and Germany within the premium leisure and fitness sector. Proven record of building safety cultures from the ground up, achieving 100% compliance rates across multi-site operations, and successfully managing European acquisitions from an H&S integration perspective. NEBOSH-qualified, with deep expertise in risk assessment, RIDDOR investigations, pool safety, and the design and implementation of H&S Management Systems at scale.

Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish — uniquely positioned to lead across borders. Seeking a senior remote role (Head of H&S / Director level) with a prestigious, people-first organisation where safety is a strategic priority.

Regional Health & Safety Manager at David Lloyd Leisure (2017-10 – Present)

Oversee H&S compliance across a portfolio of premium leisure clubs spanning Spain, Germany, and the UK — managing risk assessments, audits, and regulatory liaison with local Environmental Health Officers on behalf of each club.

• Designed and drove implementation of a company-wide H&S Management System, achieving 100% compliance rates across all daily, weekly, and monthly safety checks.
• Spearheaded European H&S integration for new acquisitions across Spain and Germany, working closely with the New Openings Team to embed operational standards from day one.
• Led RIDDOR investigations and significant incident reviews, producing comprehensive root-cause analyses and actionable improvement recommendations.
• Developed and delivered robust induction programmes for all Operations and Facilities Managers, ensuring consistent understanding and application of all H&S policies.
• Acted as the primary H&S champion for all clubs, driving a proactive safety culture and consistently reducing incident risk before accidents occurred.
• Delivered 100% accident and incident reporting rates across all clubs, ensuring full regulatory compliance and organisational transparency.

Operations Manager (incl. H&S Advisor Secondment) at David Lloyd Leisure (2015-10 – 2017-10)

Managed day-to-day operations including H&S compliance, brand standards, cleanliness, and maintenance across the club estate.

• Led operational support and staff training for the opening of the new David Lloyd Club in Aravaca, Madrid (January 2017), including all H&S procedures.
• Completed a four-month H&S Advisor secondment (May–September 2017), supporting 7 new David Lloyd clubs with full H&S implementation, policies, procedures, and operational ways of working.
• Monitored and reviewed due diligence compliance, energy consumption, and performance KPIs, reporting monthly P&L insights to the General Manager.

Operations Manager at activeNewham (2013-11 – 2015-10)

Directed all operational aspects across the leisure centre, including fitness, dry sports, and group exercise, with full accountability for H&S compliance.

• Achieved financial targets and dry-side KPIs while maintaining a culture of safety-first leadership across all direct reports.
• Served as IOSH Managing Safely Health & Safety Champion, representing East Ham Leisure Centre.
• Led team of Fitness Instructors, Group Exercise Lead, Dry Sports Coaches and Dry Side staff — providing mentorship, training, and performance development.

BTEC National Diploma in Sport Development & Fitness – Barking College (2003 – 2005)

Advanced GNVQ in Travel & Tourism – Waltham Forest College (2000 – 2001)

GCSEs in English, Maths, Portuguese, French, Geography, Science, Music – Stratford School (1995 – 2000)