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When Adrian Bracken started AB&H Safety Services Ltd back in 2020, he had a clear goal – to do things differently.
At the time, he was leading a team of safety managers for a large construction company during the height of the pandemic. But, following a chat with a colleague, the idea of launching their own business began to take shape.
They started part-time in May 2020 and, six months later, Adrian was ready to go full time. He’d grown disillusioned because he felt that subcontractors and supply chain businesses in the sector weren’t being properly represented by other safety consultants.
“I saw a gap in the market and knew I could do it better,” Adrian explains. “We’re not your typical tick box health and safety consultants. We like to roll up our sleeves, become part of the team, and get stuck in to help companies get to where they need to be.”
By January 2021, Adrian had made the leap and committed to the business full-time. The timing was not quite right for his co-founder, so he stepped away and Adrian carried on solo, keeping the business name.
“Over the years, I’d built up strong relationships with companies within the sector. It meant I was fortunate to have clients on board from the beginning,” says Adrian. “It didn’t really feel like a big risk because I knew there were people ready and waiting to use my services.”
In the early days, Adrian ran the business from his dining room table. But, with teenage twins at home and a busy household, it wasn’t an ideal situation. By the end of his first year, he’d begun the search for office space in the area.
“I looked around at available offices in Barnsley,” he says. “I had a good feeling about The Business Village from the start. I got on well with the team and they couldn’t do enough to help me get moved in.”
He began with a small office at the Cudworth site, later upgrading it to a larger one. Then, in November 2024, Adrian had the opportunity to upgrade again. He now has a much bigger space at the Wilthorpe site, which he says gives him room to grow.
“Being at The Business Village makes life so much easier. The whole team is brilliant from reception to maintenance, and Kevin Steel is always encouraging us to get involved in new things. Everyone goes the extra mile. I can’t fault them at all.”
Adrian also rates the facilities at The Business Village, with plenty of parking, great M1 links, and 24/7 access which gives him the flexibility to call in at weekends. The onsite Bistro at Wilthorpe is a bonus too, with friendly staff and a welcoming feel.
Today, AB&H Safety Services works with construction companies across the UK. Clients are mainly in the industrial sector, some with an annual turnover of up to £150 million. Adrian will work alongside existing health and safety teams in larger organisations. Other companies without an internal team rely on him and the team at AB&H for their health and safety support.
AB&H offers everything from risk assessments and method statements, to audits, inspections, and training. But the real focus is on being useful.
“We’re not doing health and safety for the sake of it,” says Adrian. “We’re hands on and like to help people through the process, giving them a better understanding of why they’re doing something. It helps them grow and helps us too.”
AB&H’s clients receive tailored support for their individual needs. Some just want help for a day, whereas others need support for several days each month. Occasionally, the team are even asked to help with the client’s operational needs.
“We always start with a meeting to understand more about the business. Then we carry out a gap analysis and make suggestions. We need to understand each other’s business to ensure we’re delivering the right service. Our proposals include information on what a company needs to move forward. When we work together, we become part of their team, not just someone showing up to fill a form in.”
One thing you won’t find from AB&H Safety Services though is retainer packages.
“I’ve always stayed away from retainer packages as I believe they devalue health and safety,” Adrian explains. “I want to bring real value so charge an agreed day rate for the work we actually do. It means companies are not paying us to do nothing. The most important thing for me is that our clients get value, and that their business and employees are protected.”
AB&H Safety Services now has a team of five, including three advisors, a part-time administrator, and a budding apprentice, Isabel. Gary Ogley has joined the business as Operations Director, and both Adrian and Gary are committed to growing the business further.
“We’ve grown so far through word of mouth, and I’ve never needed to advertise.” Adrian says. “We’re now at a point though where it makes sense to bring someone in to help us explore new markets. Construction will always be the cornerstone of what we do, but we also want to look at new opportunities in manufacturing and the public sector. I’d also like Isabel, one of my daughters to take over a leadership role when she gets older.”
Adrian believes wholeheartedly that every business needs good health and safety support. He’s committed to offering that personal touch and to being an extension of his clients’ team.
In his words, it’s quite simple: “We’re there to make a difference and we can.”
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