Scotland’s leading prosecutor on Health and Safety cases will share the benefit of his expertise with an Aberdeen audience next month (May) as the issue of duty of care is placed under the spotlight.
Still In Control - Managing Risk, The Matrix Way will take place at Ardoe House Hotel on Thursday, May 26, and aims to underline the challenges faced by organisations managing business risk.
Alongside previously announced speakers Bob Keiller, business advisor at AB15 and chairman of Scottish Enterprise, John Smith, chief executive officer of MPC Group Australia and Colin Maclachlan, star of Channel 4’s reality TV drama SAS: Who Dares Wins, Aberdeen-based conference organiser Matrix Risk Control has announced Gary Aitken as a keynote speaker.
Co-founding director of Matrix Risk Control, Alan Smith will also be delivering a fascinating topic `Risk Assessing The Perfect Murder` where he will draw the unlikely comparison between the individual planning high risk criminal activity and the individual or organisation planning high risk business activity.
As the head of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s health and safety division, Gary has been a front line prosecutor in Aberdeen, Wick and Inverness, working in specialised roles in relation to High Court preparation and health and safety prosecution. The presentation will discuss the topic of ‘The Realisation of Risk’ and the many responsibilities businesses have.
Mr Aitken, who has more than 20 years experience as a prosecutor, said: “In the current difficult economic climate for businesses in the north-east and further afield, a clean reputation is all the more valuable. Ignoring risk can lead to tough consequences, the most obvious being that a preventable tragedy occurs.
“However that may only be the first in a series of adverse consequences for a business. These can be far reaching, and raise the potential of prosecution for corporate homicide and other offences under the health and safety legislation.
“This can result in fines well in excess of six figures, recovery of significant sums under proceeds of crime legislation and the incalculable reputational damage caused by the adverse publicity associated with criminal prosecution arising from a death.”
Alan Smith, director at Matrix Risk Control, said: “We are delighted to announce Gary as one of our keynote speakers. His expertise is unparalleled and further strengthens a fantastic line-up for attendees.
“The Corporate Homicide Act imposes a responsibility on the management of organisations to ensure they organise their business in such a way that they maintain a responsible duty of care to their personnel and the public.
“Organisations, who for reasons of cost saving and efficiency, are undertaking transition both in terms of personnel and operations need to be mindful that such changes do heighten their risk exposure and thus adversely impact on this duty of care.”
The event is being supported by gold sponsor Balmoral Group, silver sponsor Samphire Subsea, bronze sponsor MPC Group and print sponsor XIC.
More information on the event, the full line-up of speakers and the associated charity dinner can be found at the event’s website www.stillincontrol.co.uk