About us
Bernard Sims Associates is one of the country’s longest-established independent health and safety consultancies operating UK wide.
At BSA we’re committed to keeping people safe in all kinds of workplaces. Our services go beyond simply avoiding accidents and the cost and lost time they incur. We help shape peoples’ attitudes and understanding and help with creating a safety culture that reduces costs and downtime, keeps people safe and increases their well-being and productivity.
We are here to work with you at every stage, providing expert and practical advice to help protect your business, ensure compliance, and add value.
Our services are:
- Health and Safety Consultants
- Principal Designers
- Principal Designer Assist
- Client Assist
- Construction Health and Safety Consultants
- Fire Risk Assessors
- Health and Safety Trainers
We know that health and safety can sometimes appear onerous and restrictive. As specialists in this complex field, we’re the voice of reason and common sense. We’re not here to add to your problems and pressures, but to help give you peace of mind and take some problems away. We provide advice and support to ensure compliance with the necessary regulations whilst recognising the challenges of cost, quality, programme and aesthetics.
Within our team of friendly, experienced professionals, we have a huge range of specialist knowledge and experience. We’re here to share it with you, providing accurate, reliable and up-to-date information, suggestions and practical advice every stage and level within your organisation. Established in 1995, we operate across the UK, with offices in Guildford, Manchester, Leeds and Lichfield and other locations in Scotland, Wales and the South West.
Bernard Sims Associates became an employee owned company in December 2021. Bernie Sims and our entire team are proud to maintain our special culture for the long term, and to continue with our strong commitment to our clients as we work towards continuing success for the future.
Our points of Culture are Integrity, Communication, Excellence, Commitment and Ownership.
Building on our experience to deliver safe, innovative projects, always through integrity, passion, respect and transparency in all we do
Our Management Team
Health & Safety is ultimately about people. Which is why our team are so important to us, and our clients. It goes without saying that they have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the relevant rules and regs, and years of experience in the industries they work with. What sets them apart is that they also bring their common sense, instinct and intuition to your project. As well as applying the letter of the law, they judge people and situations individually and on their own merits, looking beyond legislation to the bigger picture and what you’re actually trying to achieve. A team dedicated to making things possible.
Bernie Sims
Chairman
Bernie formed BSA in 1995 and is proud to have built the company into a highly successful health and safety consultancy practice. Bernie has over 53 years’ experience in the construction, engineering, energy, commercial, retail, hotel and leisure industries; he has also worked on a wide variety of petroleum and chemical development projects, specialising in designing-out risks and minimising hazards in construction. Bernie was the company’s Managing Director until 2026 and now chairs the Board of Directors at BSA.
Jackie Sims
HR Director
Jackie is one of the founders of Bernard Sims Associates . A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Jackie began her HR and training career with Thorn EMI, and went on to work with a variety of organisations before joining BSA, including Deutsche Bank, British Airways, General Electric and The British Institute of Innkeeping. She is proud, along with Bernie Sims, to have transitioned the company to becoming employee owned in 2021.
Dale Kearsley
Managing Director
Dale began his career in engineering in 2001, gaining hands-on experience in steel frame construction and site management before specialising in CDM in 2012. After joining Bernard Sims Associates in 2015 as a CDM Consultant, he progressed through a number of leadership roles before being appointed Managing Director.
Alongside supporting clients as a Principal Designer and Building Safety Act specialist, Dale is focused on driving the continued growth of the business, investing in its people, expanding its services, and ensuring the business continues to deliver exceptional support to all clients
Bernie formed BSA in 1995 and is proud to have built the company into a highly successful health and safety consultancy practice. Bernie has over 53 years’ experience in the construction, engineering, energy, commercial, retail, hotel and leisure industries; he has also worked on a wide variety of petroleum and chemical development projects, specialising in designing-out risks and minimising hazards in construction. Bernie was the company’s Managing Director until 2026 and now chairs the Board of Directors at BSA.
Jackie is one of the founders of Bernard Sims Associates . A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Jackie began her HR and training career with Thorn EMI, and went on to work with a variety of organisations before joining BSA, including Deutsche Bank, British Airways, General Electric and The British Institute of Innkeeping. She is proud, along with Bernie Sims, to have transitioned the company to becoming employee owned in 2021.
Dale began his career in engineering in 2001, gaining hands-on experience in steel frame construction and site management before specialising in CDM in 2012. After joining Bernard Sims Associates in 2015 as a CDM Consultant, he progressed through a number of leadership roles before being appointed Managing Director.
Alongside supporting clients as a Principal Designer and Building Safety Act specialist, Dale is focused on driving the continued growth of the business, investing in its people, expanding its services, and ensuring the business continues to deliver exceptional support to all clients
Darren Ghaffoori
CDM Director – Midlands
Darren joined BSA in 2016. Darren is the CDM Design Risk Manager for BSA which involves attending design specification meetings at higher level for larger clients so that the BSA can influence the design early before specifications are written and provided to designers. Darren also provides regular design workshops to the staff to ensure consistency across the business and to ensure staff are updated with any regulation change that may impact design and our role as PD.
Sarah Blayney
Accounts & Credit Control Manager/Director
Sarah joined BSA in May 2015, bringing a wide range of accounting experience with a particular focus on Credit Management. Sarah has studied with the Association of Accounting Technicians and is currently a studying member of the Chartered Institute Of Credit Management.
She has a passion for efficiency within the business and enjoys analysing and implementing company processes.
Liesl Dommisse
CDM Design Risk Manager/Associate Director
Liesl is an architect and Design Risk Manager with over 20 years of experience in UK architectural practice and more than a decade of expertise in Construction Design and Management (CDM). She specialises in Design Risk Management and has acted as Principal Designer on major projects across a wide range of sectors.
At BSA, Liesl currently leads the organisation’s design risk review process and supports the integration of Building Regulations Principal Designer (PD BR) requirements.
Darren joined BSA in 2016. Darren is the CDM Design Risk Manager for BSA which involves attending design specification meetings at higher level for larger clients so that the BSA can influence the design early before specifications are written and provided to designers. Darren also provides regular design workshops to the staff to ensure consistency across the business and to ensure staff are updated with any regulation change that may impact design and our role as PD.
Sarah joined BSA in May 2015, bringing a wide range of accounting experience with a particular focus on Credit Management. Sarah has studied with the Association of Accounting Technicians and is currently a studying member of the Chartered Institute Of Credit Management.
She has a passion for efficiency within the business and enjoys analysing and implementing company processes.
Liesl is an architect and Design Risk Manager with over 20 years of experience in UK architectural practice and more than a decade of expertise in Construction Design and Management (CDM). She specialises in Design Risk Management and has acted as Principal Designer on major projects across a wide range of sectors.
At BSA, Liesl currently leads the organisation’s design risk review process and supports the integration of Building Regulations Principal Designer (PD BR) requirements.
Debbie Clarke
HR Manager
Debbie joined BSA in October 2025, bringing her further experience in Human Resources across a variety of sectors. She enjoys working collaboratively with managers and employees to provide practical HR solutions that support both people and business success.
Catriona Sinclair
CDM Manager South / Senior Health & Safety Consultant
Catriona joined BSA in 2018 as a Health & Safety Consultant, bringing a background in retail and facilities management. She then moved into a CDM role and now manages our CDM team in the South. Catriona works on a range of projects and enjoys supporting and developing the Southern Team to provide practical and proportionate advice that helps our clients deliver projects safely and efficiently.
Barry Rutley
Health and Safety Manager
Barry joined BSA is 2018 and now heads up the company’s Health and Safety team.
He has worked in health and safety for over 25 years and has experience in a variety of disciplines and sectors including fire safety, construction, retail, engineering and environmental management.
Debbie joined BSA in October 2025, bringing her further experience in Human Resources across a variety of sectors. She enjoys working collaboratively with managers and employees to provide practical HR solutions that support both people and business success.
Catriona joined BSA in 2018 as a Health & Safety Consultant, bringing a background in retail and facilities management. She then moved into a CDM role and now manages our CDM team in the South. Catriona works on a range of projects and enjoys supporting and developing the Southern Team to provide practical and proportionate advice that helps our clients deliver projects safely and efficiently.
Barry joined BSA is 2018 and now heads up the company’s Health and Safety team.
He has worked in health and safety for over 25 years and has experience in a variety of disciplines and sectors including fire safety, construction, retail, engineering and environmental management.
Gemma Richards
Marketing & Project Co-ordination Manager
Gemma joined BSA in August 2019, starting her career with the company in an administration role. Since then, she has progressed through the business, bringing her previous management experience and passion for marketing into the role she is in today.
Gemma plays a key role in BSA’s marketing activities, helping to promote the company’s services, strengthen its online presence, and support its continued growth. She is also passionate about leading and developing people, helping team members utilise their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential.
Hayley Champion
Technical Administration Manager
Hayley joined BSA in 2023 as a Technical Administrator, bringing extensive administrative experience gained across a range of industries. Over the following two years, she gained significant experience within the Administration team, progressing to Team Leader and, more recently, Manager.
Having completed BSA’s internal CDM Academy, Hayley has developed a strong understanding of CDM regulations and the construction industry. This knowledge enables her to effectively oversee the delivery of Health & Safety files, ensuring our clients receive a high-quality and efficient service.
Gemma joined BSA in August 2019, starting her career with the company in an administration role. Since then, she has progressed through the business, bringing her previous management experience and passion for marketing into the role she is in today.
Gemma plays a key role in BSA’s marketing activities, helping to promote the company’s services, strengthen its online presence, and support its continued growth. She is also passionate about leading and developing people, helping team members utilise their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential.
Hayley joined BSA in 2023 as a Technical Administrator, bringing extensive administrative experience gained across a range of industries. Over the following two years, she gained significant experience within the Administration team, progressing to Team Leader and, more recently, Manager.
Having completed BSA’s internal CDM Academy, Hayley has developed a strong understanding of CDM regulations and the construction industry. This knowledge enables her to effectively oversee the delivery of Health & Safety files, ensuring our clients receive a high-quality and efficient service.
Vacancies
Here are the job vacancies we’re looking to fill at BSA.
Our current vacancies are below, but if you feel that you have the skills, knowledge or experience and think you would make you a good fit for our team, please contact us where we will be more than happy to discuss with you further.
– Principal Designer/CDM Consultant
For more information on our current vacancies, please click the links below where it will contain all the information you need about the job roles. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Accreditations and Awards
Here is list of our accreditation and awards –
your assurance that, as a BSA client, you really are working with the best in the business.
Our Services
Need expert advice? Speak to our team today!