Some risks become harder to address once equipment has been purchased, a project has been designed or a new process is already taking shape. Across Leonardo’s Electronics and Cyber Divisions, the Health, Safety and Environment team has been working to bring its expertise into those decisions earlier.

In its submission to The SHE Show Inspiring Change Awards 2026, Leonardo describes a coordinated approach spanning communication, competence, leadership and reporting with the aim to address potential risk and prevention part of normal business planning and to bring its expertise into decision making earlier.

Some risks become harder to address once equipment has been purchased, a project has been designed, or a new process is already taking shape. The submission gives practical examples of why timing matters as earlier involvement of H&S gives the relevant teams an opportunity to examine those issues before decisions become expensive or difficult to reverse.

To assist with this challenge a Management of Change procedure was the introduced in 2025. It considers changes involving people, equipment and infrastructure that could introduce HSE risks. The intention is to identify those implications while there is still an opportunity to adjust the plan. Management of Change is being incorporated into other business processes to highlight this proactive risk assessment as early as possible. Records held within the reporting and assurance system support review as work progresses, so this connects HSE consideration to ongoing decisions and responsibilities rather than leaving it as a separate final check. In addition is the formalisation of its Specialist Reviewer roles, the maturing and development of the Event reporting, the introduction of a HSE Training dashboard and,  in response to a companywide questionnaire, a more engaging and informative Communication strategy.

Leadership involvement supports this proactive approach. SLT are required to undertake IOSH training, while senior leaders carry out workplace walks to see activities and engage with teams directly on H&S issues. All of these initiatives and improvements are integrating H&S into every stage and aspect of business at Leonardo.

Based on Leonardo’s Electronics and Cyber Divisions submission and supporting evidence for The SHE Show Inspiring Change Awards 2026. Progress is as reported in September 2026.