Launched by SHP in 2017, Most Influential celebrates those who have had the biggest impact on health & safety. For 2020, Most Influential Team has been added to recognise the team that has worked together most effectively to improve occupational health, safety and/or workplace well-being. This could be within their own industry, within society or in health & safety profession more widely.

Six teams have been shortlisted as finalists by a panel of judges, with the winner being announced in early December.

The Safety Committee of the Association of British Theatre Technicians has been an important feature of the Association since the early 1960’s. In March this year it consisted of a group of 46 people working across theatre and entertainment generally. The team now numbers 113, representing a much broader group to serve the needs of theatre and the wider regulated entertainment industry.

Judges were impressed how, during the pandemic, the committee showed ‘incredible leadership and collaboration’ to offer a national advice service, industry guidance notes, technical standards and training. They were also impressed with how the Safety Committee quickly its opened doors to the rest of a ‘troubled sector’, supporting other smaller organisations, through digital meetings and networking events.

ABTT Safety Committee Chair, Michael Anderson responded to the announcement with: “We at the ABTT are really proud to have been shortlisted, bringing so many theatre specialists together to develop practical guidance for all to use has been so important to ensure a collective set of information, in a ready to use format. Being recognised as an influential team among these finalists is really important in and for our industry that has been completely devastated by the required control measures due to COVID-19. We make theatre, if we can’t make theatre we make a plan to make theatre! As chair to the safety committee it’s been a pleasure to work with so many great people, my thanks to the safety committee members and good luck to all the finalists!“

To find out the other finalists which have been shortlisted please see here.

What do winners get?

As well as a trophy and the kudos that comes with being named ‘Most Influential’, winners of both the Team and Individual awards will receive an Acre Frameworks development prize to support them in building their non-technical skill capability and enabling their self-leadership.

In early December SHP will announce who has been crowned the overall winner.