SAICA · SDG 7: Neil Franklin

Take a listen to the latest SustainableSA podcast where we chat to Neil Franklin, Group Head of Safety, Health and Environment at AECI, on SDG 7 and how to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. #sustainablesa #sdg #sdg7

Neil Franklin is the Group Head of Safety, Health and Environment at AECI. In 2019, Sustainability was added to his portfolio, which he leads with a team of experts from across the Group.

He started his career in AECI in 1990 and spent seven years within operations before transferring to the SHE Function in 1997.Through acquisitions he became an employee of Polifin and later Sasol. Neil specialised in the implementation of Behaviour Based Safety across multiple sites to improve safety performance and reduce injury rates. He held specialist and management roles until transferring to the Sasol Head Office in 2005 to take up the role of Group Safety Advisor. He would later be appointed as Group Head of Occupational and Process Safety. He dedicated much of his time to the investigation and understanding of serious workplace incidents.

Neil re-joined AECI in 2017 to head up the development and implementation of the Group’s SHEQ Strategy, then known as Zero Harm. In 2019 the strategy was expanded to include Sustainability.

Neil has worked across multiple sectors including mining, gas exploration, construction, chemicals and explosives in 13 countries.

Neil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Safety Management, a Management Diploma from GIBS and is a Chartered Member of the South African Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He is chairman of the South African Process Safety Forum and Represents AECI at the Chemical and Allied Industries Association’s Responsible Care Standing Committee. He is also a Board member of SAFEX International.

Listen here.