Lee Cowell

As the Safety Coordinator, I lead a team of expert safety professionals dedicated to providing advisory services that effectively manage operational, legal, and regulatory risks, fulfilling governance oversight responsibility for the business. My role involves guiding the team through high-priority projects, including a comprehensive global review of safety standards, procedures, safety management systems, and associated compliance requirements. The outcomes of these initiatives are implemented regionally and internationally across the business. furthermore, I am a member of the Senior Leadership Crisis Management Team, coordinating operational and corporate response to critical incidents, engaging with key internal (Executive Committee) and external stakeholders (regulatory agencies and police). Additional core responsibilities include:

• Lead thorough investigations into workplace incidents, identifying root causes to implement preventive measures to mitigate future risk
• Conduct regular reviews of company-wide safety metrics to identify trends and areas requiring additional focus or improvement
• Coordinate safety committee meetings to discuss ongoing projects, progress updates, and areas for improvement within the organisation's safety program framework
• Identify and effectively control risk, utilising risk frameworks and control measures
• Actively participate in industry conferences and workshops to stay informed on best practices and emerging trends in respect to risk
• Collaborate with management to develop site-specific safety policies, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
• Develop and maintain controlled documents that align with legislative and regulatory requirements
• Mentor and coach employees and managers in risk identification and mitigation
• Cultivate strong working relationships with cross-functional teams, facilitating collaborative efforts to achieve business outcomes

As a Senior Regulatory Advisor with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), I led a team of Investigators responsible for implementing and enhancing regulatory processes and responses to high-risk medical practice complaints. Moreover, I was responsible for developing and implementing regulatory strategies to achieve AHPRA’s objectives, being crucial at a time when the industry was undergoing fundamental transformations. Specifically, my regular activities included:

• Assessing and managing complex and high-risk cases consistent with agreed risk thresholds, legislation, relevant principles, established policies and procedures, and in line with the delegated authority of the Medical Board of Australia
• Managed the delivery of corporate or support functions within a state or territory office and administered delegated provisions of the National Law
• Provided expert advice to the state and territory Boards, National Boards, and operational units within the agency, as required
• Designed and implemented national initiatives to enhance regulatory effectiveness
• Facilitated and participated in high level co-regulatory conferences with government bodies and external stakeholders
• Displayed excellent communication skills in order to negotiate, resolve conflict and systemic or major issues, led and motivated others and inspired change
• Provided leadership to organisational elements within the Notifications functions, driving agency values to achieve results in line with organisational goals
• Established and maintained an organisational culture that emphasised the delivery of high-quality services and continuous improvement
• Managed key contracts with external stakeholders

As a Police Sergeant/Manager with more than 12-years’ experience, my responsibilities were extremely varied and included conducting complex investigations relating to criminal offences, providing leadership and management to ensure the effective performance of policing sub-districts for which I was in command, developing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships to improve community safety and facilitating the development of junior staff. Whilst progressing through the ranks, I held numerous different positions, and led a litany of high-class investigations, personifying leadership, diligence, and professionalism. Some of my more notable activities included:

• Conducted comprehensive, analytical investigations into various offences, formulating and executing operational strategies, adhering to legislative standards, investigative methodologies and evidentiary standards
• Developed and implemented effective rostering practices to enhance operational availability of services, cognisant of Enterprise Agreements
• Responsible for fulfilment of good governance requirements for three business units
• Advocated for victims and ensured access to appropriate victim support services, facilitating inter-agency transfer of care where appropriate
• Conducted regular security risk analysis pertaining to agency assets with a focus on cybersecurity domains, including network and information security, physical security, and access control
• Monitored the implementation of operational safety, health, environment, and relevant policies and systems, and supported staff members and associated managers in their efforts towards persistently strengthening our health and safety processes
• Undertook in-depth research, both in relation to specific cases, as well as broader concerns, compiling my findings into user friendly, engaging, and thought-provoking reporting and presentations, and then delivered these findings to executive management, influencing key business decisions and strategic direction
• Monitored the financial health of the organisation, whilst simultaneously coordinating and successfully deploying appropriate agency resources in order to meet public demand
• Drove operational process review and led numerous internal changes in line with the agency demands for streamlining processes and digitalising the workforce, leveraging enhanced technology services in the process
• Mentored, coached, and guided junior officers, leading by example, and allowing them to grow into their positions with confidence, professionalism, and enthusiasm
• Facilitated professional development opportunities for staff members, and held several workshops across a multitude of specialisations, remaining abreast of changing industry standards, agency expectations, and personal and team improvements
• Prepared and delivered pro-active crime prevention strategies and advice, at a district level, to at risk stakeholders within the community, across a variety of issues, including fraud and scam awareness/response