Kari Sprostranova
Group Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director, HSW, Global
How did you get into what you do?
I think I have always felt committed to making a difference. I was working as a tour operator when I was first exposed to health and safety. I enjoyed working with different teams, helping them to become better, more efficient workplaces, with employees that experienced safety and security in their roles. I loved it so much that I went on to join the civil service as a health and safety regulator, and this is where I was introduced to construction. After 14 years, I had become Principal Inspector for London construction.
From then on, it’s been my number one mission to stop people from getting hurt and having to pick up the pieces after an incident. Construction is a high-risk industry, but people deserve to go home to their loved ones each day safe and well.
When I was introduced to Mace, I just felt like there was something about this organisation – our values aligned, and I was passionate about what they were trying to achieve. Mace’s willingness to collaboratively lead the construction industry drew me in; at the end of day, we all have the same wants and needs. Today, I’m lucky to be inspired by our delivery teams that always find a solution to a problem. I’ve always believed that Health, Safety and Wellbeing should be in partnership with them as they do that. Far from being a roadblock, at its best, HSW can provide a framework that helps everyone be and feel at their best.
What has been your proudest achievement at Mace so far?
I’m probably most proud of the shift I’ve witnessed in the culture around HSW at Mace since I’ve come on board. Today, HSW is a partnership, and it’s not just for my HSW team to influence. Operational leadership teams outside of my department make collective decisions – people used to look to the HSW team for all the answers, but now topics are owned and driven collaboratively, and its inspiring to see them get energised about HSW.
People are willing to be vulnerable with one another to drive change, owning up to mistakes and giving us all the opportunity to learn. Traditional investigations tend to be slow paced, but this culture shift has allowed us to learn quickly and then share those learnings with the industry, including our supply chain. With our consultancy business being global, we have such a big opportunity to do this abroad as well as domestically. I’m so proud of the difference my team makes in sending people home safe and well.
People are willing to be vulnerable with one another to drive change, owning up to mistakes and giving us all the opportunity to learn. Traditional investigations tend to be slow paced, but this culture shift has allowed us to learn quickly and then share those learnings with the industry, including our supply chain. With our consultancy business being global, we have such a big opportunity to do this abroad as well as domestically. I’m so proud of the difference my team makes in sending people home safe and well.
Why Mace?
Working as a construction regulator, I felt I had a sense for what a variety of organisations across the industry are like, and Mace just had such a good reputation. I was quite happy working where I was at the time…but it was Mace.
This reputation has been earned by Mace’s willingness to help the entire industry move forward. It’s work with the CLC and Build UK is a testament to this, as is the collaborative relationship we’ve built with our supply chain through the Mace Business School.
I also saw Mace as uniquely well-placed for the future. Private ownership and a hub and spoke model from London out to its international hubs give us an agility and adaptability that has seen us overcome obstacles and innovate.
What motivates you everyday?
Ultimately, I’m motivated by sending people home to their loved ones safe and well.
It also motivates me to know that I can make a difference. One of my mentors earlier in my career had a mantra – “improve every day” – it helped me realise how much I love to learn. So today, if I have an idea for how to improve something, then that is really motivating. Tied to this is the idea of incremental gains; a small difference every day will add up to a big one with time. So, whatever you are trying to achieve, stick with it!
What does going home safe and well mean to you?
I like this question, because there is a more salient part to it, which is the psychological side of health and wellbeing. Of course, the ability to physically go home safe and well is crucial to me and my team, but the mental component is just as important in our eyes.
We see the ability to be yourself in your workplace as tying into this – your workplace should empower and energise you to go home safely to your family and friends. The phrase “work-life balance” suggests that work and your personal life are at odds, but we believe that work can, and should, empower you as well.
That’s why, psychology, mental health and DEI efforts are crucial to what we do here at Mace, and why we’re encouraging the industry to take a similar approach, since we’re all on the same journey. At Mace, we employed an Occupational Health lead to make sure we’re at the forefront of these efforts, and organisations like Mates in Mind are supporting us and other Tier 1 contractors to create positive workplace cultures.
Physical safety shouts the loudest when it comes to HSW, and mental health is invisible. Our team ensures we look at both as a business to aid our guarantee that everyone goes home safe and well.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Athletics! I am a runner myself, (although I can’t say I’m very good) and I manage the U17 and U21 at my local athletics club, which has been very rewarding!
“I’m motivated by sending people home to their loved ones safe and well.”
Kari Sprostranova
Group Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director, HSW, Global
Group Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director, HSW, Global