Member Spotlight: Ian Hutchings, Managing Director – Vita Safety

I’m Ian Hutchings – I am the Managing Director of Vita Safety, a Manchester based health and safety consultancy. Vita Safety will be 18 this year! I have been in various health and safety roles for the last 27 years. My early career was as an armourer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the British Army, having joined at 16 years old. In my short nine year army career I served in the first Gulf War in Kuwait, Germany, Canada, Northern Ireland and twice in the Bosnian conflict in 1994 and 1996. I met Kate Adie and survived.

2. Career highlight

I have had several, so it’s really hard to choose, a few of which I probably can’t share! One standout highlight for me was the delivery of event safety for Aston Martin at the Le Mans 24 hour race in 2019. The project involved the building and delivery at the race course of 24 bespoke Aston Martin DBS cars to ViP guests over a week of events, with the finale of the race itself and a procession around the track, where I was lucky enough to be in one of the cars with the driver. The safety plan involved ViP guests flights to France, travel from a remote chateau in helicopters, land transport for various other events and hospitality surrounding the event.

3. Name three words that describe your personality

Tenacious. Trustworthy. Punctilious.

4. What’s the best thing about pro-manchester

The range of people and personalities you meet and the relaxed approach to introductions – effectively the team behind it all!

5. What are your priorities for 2024

Set a stable foundation to grow the business, spend more time with friends and family, and improve my fitness.

6. What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?

Luckily (perhaps) I don’t follow football. The food and drink scene is amazing, even with the terrible pressures on the hospitality sector. The growth in Manchester being a fulcrum for technological endeavour is outstanding, supported by employers that genuinely care and is underpinned by work such as the Manchester Good Employment Charter.

7. Favourite meeting place in Manchester

So hard to choose, which says a lot! If food is involved probably El Gato Negro, the Hawksmoor or Erst. Cocktails at Schofield’s. Coffee at Haunt. Breakfast at Ezra and Gil. Manchester Art Gallery for something a bit different. Nothing too fancy.

8. Are there any particular types of businesses that you would like to meet.

Our client base is very diverse. If you are a business leader with a responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of people, we can help.

Get In Touch 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0161 4865020

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-hutchings-01030b4