HSEQ Manager

About Us

Heartwood Tree Surgeons Limited is a leading arboricultural contractor, trusted by clients across the UK to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality tree surgery, vegetation management, and forestry services. Part of the Vermala Group, building a network of the UK’s foremost arboriculture and forestry businesses. With operations now spanning the South West and the Midlands, we are creating a platform for excellence across the industry.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced HSEQ Manager to take day-to-day responsibility for Health, Safety, Environment and Quality across Heartwood. Reporting directly to the Operations Director, this is a key operational role that ensures compliance, drives improvement, and supports the business in maintaining the highest standards.

The role is varied, covering the full breadth of HSEQ. You will lead on audit preparation, support with tender submissions, carry out site inspections, and work closely with managers and teams to embed safe and sustainable working practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee all HSEQ activities across Heartwood’s operations.
• Prepare for and lead external audits and accreditation processes (e.g. ISO, Arb Association, Construction Line, NHSS).
• Support the Operations Director with HSEQ elements of tender submissions and client requirements.
• Conduct site inspections, audits, and monitoring to ensure compliance with legislation and standards.
• Lead and support incident investigations, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Deliver training, inductions, toolbox talks, and ongoing coaching to strengthen HSEQ culture.
• Maintain and develop management systems, policies, and procedures across HSEQ.
• Produce reports on HSEQ performance, risks, and improvement actions.

About You

We’re looking for someone with both experience and enthusiasm for the full HSEQ agenda — health, safety, environment, and quality. You’ll be comfortable working closely with operations teams while also ensuring we meet high professional standards.

• NEBOSH General Certificate (minimum) – Diploma or working towards desirable.
• NEBOSH Environmental Certificate or ISEP Foundation Certificate (nice to have / willing to work towards this).
• Internal Auditor qualification (nice to have – e.g., ISO 9001, 14001, 45001)
• Experience in an HSEQ role, ideally within arboriculture, forestry, utilities, construction, highways or other high-risk industries.
• Strong working knowledge of UK health, safety, environmental and quality legislation and frameworks.
• Experience in preparing for external audits and maintaining accreditations.
• Good incident investigation and auditing skills.
• Confident communicator, able to engage with teams on the ground and clients at management level.
• Organised and proactive, with the ability to prioritise across multiple projects and sites.

What We Offer

• Salary: £40,000 – £55,000, depending on experience.
• 30 days’ holiday (including bank holidays).
• Company vehicle (for works use only).
• Pension scheme, bonus and benefits schemes.
• Ongoing training and career development (including support towards further NEBOSH qualifications).
• A varied role with the chance to influence every part of HSEQ in a growing business.
• Vermala Group (Heartwood’s parent company) now also owns Teign Trees, based in Devon and Bristol, and in time we will be looking to step up one of the Managers to Head of HSEQ for the Group – so there is significant growth potential in this role.