HSE confirms appointment of new chief executive

Judith Hackitt, HSE chair, said: "I am delighted to welcome Richard as our new chief executive and look forward to working with him. His valuable, considerable experience in both the public and private sector is a perfect fit for HSE, enabling us to take forward our commercial agenda whilst also ensuring we can build on our standing as a world-class regulator of workplace health and safety." Judge added: "This is a great opportunity to lead the executive of a renowned and respected regulator that will soon celebrate its 40th year. I look forward to working with my new HSE colleagues, and with everyone who has a stake in delivering further improvements in Britain's health and safety performance." Judge is currently chief executive of the Insolvency Service. Before this he had a career in science and technology organisations spanning the nuclear, rail and environmental sectors. He has a professional background as a chartered engineer (Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers), and is qualified as a chartered director. He will take over from Kevin Myers, who has been acting chief executive since August 2013, when Geoffrey Podger stepped down after eight years in the role.