A roaring success
Making its debut at this year’s Health and Safety Event, which took place at Birmingham’s NEC from 22 to 24 March, the Lions’ Lair proved to be a popular new feature, with panellists and exhibitors alike throwing themselves into the task.
Over the first two days of the three day event, a total of 16 exhibitors pitched their products and services to an expert panel of judges. The 'Lions' consisted of: Karen Hoskins, managing director at IBIS Solutions, John Holt, director, health, safety and environment, Rolls-Royce PLC; Liz Skelton, vice president, IOSH; Steve Perkins, chief executive, BOHS; Rob Strange, board level advisor, Southalls; Tim Marsh, chairman, Ryder Marsh Sharman; and Nick Warburton, journalist, Technical Publicity.
Former England rugby international and ex-RAF pilot Rory Underwood, who captivated the audience with his presentation on behavioural safety on the final morning, crowned SoNQ the debut Lions’ Lair winner for its innovative compliance software. SoBase is a cloud based software system, designed to bring innovation, creativity and skill to the world of health and safety compliance.
Three additional companies won a highly commended trophy: TSI Instruments for its Environmental DustTrak aerosol monitor; Semmco for the LPS Head10 breathing aparatus; and Fortress Distribution for its Yuleys hands-free reusable shoe covers.
Managing director of SoNQ, Mark Flanagan, was delighted to win after beating off strong competition. “The complements from the prestigious judging panel after the rigorous interview process was great feedback,” he said. “It added the icing to an enjoyable and prosperous three day exhibition.”
One of the highly commended winners, William McOnie from Semmco, thought the Lions’ Lair was also very positive about the new feature. “One of the things I really like about the Lions’ Lair was that it gave me a chance as a small company to go up there with a product that I was really passionate about and speak about the innovation,” he said. “The judging panel was good and they asked some challenging questions. I liked the whole set up with the TV and the sound quality was excellent.”
Nick Brown, regional sales manager, TSI Instruments concurred: “It made us really think about the benefits our products give to health and safety specialists and wider stakeholders. From an exhibitor perspective, the whole event was well organised and delivered a good level of leads.”
Picture: Rory Underwood, Alcumus; Mark Flanagan, SoNQ; Maria Bryceland, SoNQ; Nick Warburton, Technical Publicity; Karen Hoskins, IBIS Solutions; Rob Strange OBE, Southalls
