Who we are

John is an experienced Health and Safety Professional. He has been facilitating, training for more than 18 years.

John has worked in a variety of industries in both New Zealand and Australia, scope of work performed, strategic planning, business management, operations, supervision, training, construction, plant installation, commissioning, and maintenance, mining, and quarrying operations.   With extensive experience in high-risk industries, management, production and processing, steel industries; metalliferous mining, gold, nickel, iron ore, oil and gas facilities, electrical transmission, distribution (lines and sub-stations), brown and green fields civil sites. Development and implementation of quality systems (ISO9001), and training programs, delivery, and facilitation of training packages (deliver and preparation of course material for National Certificate in Business training).

John holds his qualifications in : Diploma Front Line Management, Australian Certificate in Workplace assessment and training, New Zealand practicing electrical license, unit standard for assessor 4098, and 11281.

Extractives Industries (Mining Administration) A & B Grade Tunnel Manager Level 6 and 5 respectively; A & B Grade Surface Extraction A & B Grade, Level 5

Since returning to New Zealand over 10 years ago, significant involvement in the training at for Extractives Industry (Mining and Quarrying; New Zealand Steel, Glenbrook, Waikato North Head, and Taharoa Iron Sands. New Zealand Steel, delivery of their full suite of isolation packages, Isolation leader Level 1, 2, 3, Authorised Person, Protected person, and Inductions. Confined Space and Gas Testing, Safe Systems of Work, worked with the Risk Reduction Committees to help improve the training on many of these packages. Developed new Isolation system for Taharoa Iron Sands.  Delivery of unit standards training packages on the NZQA framework to level 6 standards.

John provides solutions to clients’ needs and customise training program and consults with organisations. Performed offshore training for ACT Safety Ltd with Goodman Fielder Fiji, risk management, and permit to work systems. Facilitated the work group committee formed to amalgamate Goodman Fielder permit to work systems for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the pacific islands. Goldfields Mining Ghana on behalf of iCapacity Resource Limited Ghana providing ICAM – Incident Investigation training.

As National Branch Manager, Irene is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all operations of ACT Safety branches. Her duties include hiring staff and heading the onboarding and staff training process, building rapport with customers and the community, creating and implementing strategies to improve productivity and sales performance in efforts to achieve the financial targets set out per branch.   Irene is an experienced Project Manager, with a strong background in Business Management, Business Development, Sales and Operations.  With a Degree in Business Management, bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Diploma in Mental Health.  Achieved her New Zealand Certificate in Business Management in 2022. 

Irene has a passion for self-development, believing you are never too old to learn she regularly develops internal campaigns to assist employees with their personal development goals.

Irene opens the line of communication between clients, customers, and businesses to get projects done. With over 25 years in both public and private sectors, Immigrated to New Zealand in 2008, married for 32 years and 2 adult children. 

Irene is extremely focused, fostering customer relationships which is very important to her, and this is instilled and fostered by the entire ACT Safety team.  

Irene enjoys being creative and completed her Diploma in Dressmaking in 2016.  There is something magical about having the skill to construct your own clothes.

Ciaran is a Health and Safety Trainer | Advisor with 7 years’ experience.  Ciaran has worked in various industries in New Zealand, construction, rigging applications, plant operations, quarrying operations.

Experience in health and safety training package development and providing training for workers and clients. Qualified in NEBOSH Certificate in 2013 for Management of international health and safety, control of international workplace hazards, international health and safety practical application. He applies his qualifications in Management of international health and safety, control of international workplace hazards in the work environment.

Delivery of unit standards training packages on the NZQA framework and accredited to level 5.

Held various leadership positions, looking after the profitability of companies. Plant operation background. Provided training on various quarry sites, understands the risks involved in high risk operations, including isolation procedures.

Ciaran's main attributes and those that he continue to develop would be reliable and trustworthy, communication skills (this especially was developed working with victim support), passionate about developing strong relationships with customers and community a strong team player and the ability to meet deadlines.

Ciaran has a high level of safety commitment and leadership, has a hands-on approach to all tasks, and likes to lead from the top and guide and mentor those who follow the same work ethics. Willingness to learn and achieve and use the training provided to continually develop experience in health and safety environment. In industries mistakes are very costly; his goal has always been to get each person home each night. 

Sharif has a wide range of experience, variety of industrial access including high rise painting, waterproofing inspections and repairs, general maintenance on bridges and buildings, and window cleaning. He has experience working in confined space, safety watch and rescue specialist, abseiling into confined space training, EWP operation, rope access.  

Sharif is Fluent in English and Spanish, good communicator, willing to learner and adept at conflict management.

Sharif continue to obtain experience delivering high quality industry standard training that is compatible with ongoing commitments within the rope access industry.  A high level of safety commitment and leadership, has a hands-on approach to all tasks, and likes to lead from the top and guide and mentor those who follow the same work ethics.

Willingness to learn and achieve and use the training provided to continually develop experience in health and safety environment. 

In his free time Sharif is a active member in the band Makeshift Parachutes, they are a Psychedelic, rock band from Auckland.

Imone completed year 13 in 2018 at Botany Colleges. Imone started at ACT Safety as an Admin Assistant, providing the team with administrative support.

Imone has completed her CATT (Certificate in Adult Tertiary Teaching) early in 2020 and has been training Fire Extinguisher, Fire warden and EWP, Working at Heights courses for ACT Safety Ltd in her journey to become an experienced Health and Safety Trainer.  

Imone has been trained as ACT Safety's champion in delivering VR Training (Virtual Reality) in Confined Spaces, Working at Heights and Chemical Handling.

Imone has completed her New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (level 6) and is a level 1 IRATA rope access Technician.

Imone continue to grow in the H&S Training industry, aims to deliver high quality training and enjoy the interaction with her clients and students.  She loves being creative in Digital and Traditional art is part of her journey.

Zelda is a Logistics & Supply Chain Management superstar.  With a Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and a decade of successful experience in Logistics, Zelda joined our team as National Training Coordinator in September 2020. 

Zelda is our National Training Coordinator superstar, if you need any training onsite or off-site, Zelda is the person to contact for information and assistance.

Zelda is a strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace.  She immigrated to New Zealand early in 2020, married for 26 years with 3 adult children, 1 grand child.  With her positive can do attitude, Zelda strives to support our customers by delivering excellent customer service.

Zelda enjoys a good Netflix binge and loves spending time with her family.

Annie joined our team as Business Administrator 2021.  Annie is an experience Office Manager with more than 15 years’ experience in accounts payable and receivable, payroll, customer services, Key accounts and pre-production scheduling.

She strives when working under pressure and use her initiatives along with her ability to think on her feet to get excellent results.  Annie worked in both public and private sectors and enjoys a team environment.

Her passion in life is to serve others and spread love and kindness.  Annie has 3 adults children, 3 grand children.

Annie enjoys working in the garden, baking and spending time with her family. 

Johnny joined the ACT Safety team as Health and Safety Advisor | Extractive Trainer in May 2022.  Relocated to ACT Safety campus at 20 Twigger Street, Christchurch as  Branch Manager in February 2024.   Johnny is a hands-on production orientated person with 16 years' experience in Operations, management and very familiar with the different mining methods.  Johnny believes a clean mine is a Safe mine and a Safe mine is a productive mine.

Johnny started his mining career at a young age, he was fortunate to have his father with 36 years mining experience as his mentor.  After school Johnny started at Basil Read Mining in 2001 as a learner Supervisor and was later promoted to a Shift Foreman (Bulk Earthworks). 

With experience on Platinum, Coal, Iron Ore, Anthracite and Copper Opencast Mines, PMC Phalaborwa Rio Tinto, Ramp scavenging.  In 2007 he had the opportunity to start as a site foreman at Somkhele Anthracite Mine.  After working at Shanduka Coal (Middelburg Mpumalanga) he got promoted to a 2.6.1 Site Manager, after successfully completed a project for Opencast Coal Mine Roll Over Mining, Drilling & Blasting Operations, joining JCI Mining in 2019 as a Site/Production Manager overseeing Operations, Drilling & Blasting.

Johnny currently holds his National Certificate in Extractive Industries (Mining Administration Surface Extraction A & B Grade (Level 5), National Certificate in Rock breaking Surface Excavations and National Certificate in Opencast Blasting. 

Johnny has trained and worked on Multiple Mine Machinery Operation and currently completed his: 

New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (level 3) - Pendant-Controlled Overhead Crane

New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Level 3) - Truck Loaded Crane

New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Level 3) - Dogman.

Johnny is married to Cheryl for 15 years and welcome their first girl Olivia to the family 3 years ago.  Johnny is an experienced deep sea fisher man with a Skipper license and is looking forward to land his first big fish here in New Zealand.

Sasha has been appointed as Quality Liaison Officer in her capacity she will be facilitating communication, strengthening relationships and providing a high level of customer services.

Sasha is driven by service excellence and believes in going the extra mile and building a personal relationship with our customers and learners.   Her part of her core values, striving for sustainable practice and treating all people with dignity and respect.

With a strong background and 12 years' experience, Sasha bring her skills in Operations, Customer Services and sales to improve the services we provide.

With her deep passion for food and cooking, Sasha achieved her bachelor’s degree in Consumer Science: Food Retail Management in 2011.

She is married to her best friend Lloyd and is the mother of 2 bouncy children – Ethan and Morgan.

Danielle has been appointed as Compliance Liaison Officer in her capacity she will be facilitating communication, strengthening relationships and providing a high level of customer services to our customer.

Danielle's background is in Sales, Marketing and printing. Danielle worked in the commercial printing industry for over 5 years, where she had the opportunity to work as a sales manager, while helping out in various roles such as administration, accounts and production management.

Danielle is currently enrolled to complete her CATT (Certificate in Adult Tertiary Teaching).  

Her ultimate goal in life is to earn a degree in teaching, so she can provide the power of education to today's youth, giving them the possibility for a better future.  This has become even more important since the birth of her baby girl, Jordan.

Shane arrived in New Zealand from South Africa in March 2023.

Shane brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Emergency Services after serving for 30 years in the eThekwini (Durban) Fire & Emergency Services. Shane is qualified with a Diploma in Fire Technology and a NEBOSH International General Certificate. For the last 17 years Shane was the Station Commander of a busy regional HQ fire station in Pinetown, just west of Durban. He has dedicated a large portion of his career to the progression and upliftment of his colleagues and looks forward to meeting our ACT Safety clients and assisting them in achieving their goals and aspirations.

Shane is married to Nicole and together they have three daughters, Caitlyn, Leah and Miley. In his spare time Shane enjoys spending time in the outdoors, camping with family and friends and is also a keen outdoor bowler who is looking forward to spending some time on a green in the not too distant future.

Desirèe, a seasoned professional with a rich background in Human Resources and Psychology, proudly earning her degrees from North-West University in Potchefstroom in 2004. Throughout her career journey, she has excelled in various roles, notably as an Executive support to management, highlighting her steadfast commitment to achieving excellence in administrative and operational support.

Beyond her adeptness in executive support, Desirèe has had the opportunity to showcase her expertise in facility and events management. Her organisational skills shine through as she deftly coordinates diverse aspects of projects and operations.

Notably, she played a crucial role in Operations Management for a Skills Development Firm specialising in Management studies and Professional skills.

Her contributions encompass a comprehensive blend of strategic planning, meticulous organisation, effective communication, marketing, and collaborative efforts. This holistic approach not only boosts overall operational efficiency but also propels impactful and sustained change, ensuring effectiveness in every endeavour.

Desirèe's dynamic capabilities position her as a skilled professional adept at navigating the intricacies of the professional landscape with finesse and expertise.

 Beyond her professional pursuits, Desirèe finds joy and satisfaction in the culinary arts. Cooking serves as a wellspring of creativity, satisfaction, and a tangible sense of accomplishment, adding a delightful personal touch to her professional profile.

Fred Lister is the newest member to the ACT Safety team.   

With more than 15 years of experience in Occupational Hygiene, Health, Safety and Environment Development.   

Focusing on implementing health and safety solutions, providing best practice guidance and advice for oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, industrial and corporate companies.

Fred is very motivated, with excellent problem-solving skills and a high standard of presentation, committed and hard working.  He enjoys a challenge and take ownership.  Fred is super flexible and sensitive to both learners, clients and stake holders.  He is focused on helping our customers, develop and improve their safety systems.

Fred is a registered HSE Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator, Paramedic and holds a Bachelor's degree in Health and Safety.  Fred specializes in medical training including Advance First Aid and Emergency Procedures.  

Fred is married to Tracy, enjoys being outdoors and like staying fit.

In January 2024, we welcomed Hannes to our team as a Health and Safety Trainer/Advisor (Extractives).   Promoted to Assistant Branch Manager - Auckland, from the 1st of July 2024, Hannes brings with him 15 years of experience in Project Management, planning, maintenance. With his technical background in the Mining industry, enables him to manage and take calculated decisions.   He is focused on Safety and creating and implementing safety systems, compiling safety audits, developing Standard operating procedures.

Hannes has obtained 2 red seals trades in Auto electrical in 2020 and Rigger Ropes man in 2013.  Hold an international Higher certificate in Project management.  For the last 9 years provided on the job training and coaching employees throughout the way to become qualified riggers.  He is passionate about training and Skills development.   

Hannes skills allowed him to oversee scheduling, planning and execution of mining activities, with respect to available resources, and available maintenance opportunities. 

Hannes is married to Nicky and have two children Bheurn and Inke.  In his spare time Hannes enjoys spending time in the outdoors, Hunting, fishing and coaching Rugby. 

Ken has committed his professional life to providing people and organizations with the information and resources needed to establish safe and healthy work environments. He is a fervent supporter of workplace safety and well-being. He has established himself as a respected leader in the industry because to his passion of empowering people and his extensive knowledge of safety and health standards.

Ken, who was born and raised in the Philippines, has always had a strong affinity for advancing safety. His foundation in health and safety concepts came from obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and a Master's degree in International Studies. To further enhance his skills, he also obtained specific training and certifications in fields like ISO 45001/9001/14001, IOSH, OSHA, and NEBOSH.

With over ten years of experience in the area and a varied portfolio of achievements as a health and safety advisor and trainer. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of fields, such as corporate management, construction, education, and aviation, offering training courses and workshops specifically created to address the safety issues that each industry encounters.