SafeWorkforce appoints Matthew Rouse as first Managing Director

SafeWorkforce is entering an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Matthew Rouse as Managing Director, a newly created role that reflects our continued investment in helping SMEs grow safely, responsibly and sustainably.

Joining in January 2026, Matthew brings more than 20 years of experience in HR, customer and employee engagement, with a strong track record in scaling software-enabled services. He will now hold full operational and commercial responsibility for SafeWorkforce and sister brand SafeHR, with a focus on strengthening customer outcomes and embedding best-in-class Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) practices.

Matthew said:

“At the heart of SafeWorkforce and SafeHR is a commitment to helping small and medium-sized businesses establish rigour and culture around safety and human resources. This isn’t about ticking boxes or meeting minimum compliance requirements, it’s about enabling organisations to grow in a way that is scalable, sustainable, and responsible.

A strong foundation in EHS and HR is crucial, and with the support of our experienced subject matter experts we help businesses create a positive culture that supports long-term growth.”

Matthew’s career began supporting organisations to improve customer and employee engagement, where he developed a deep interest in how effective cultures are built. Most recently at EcoOnline, he led the transformation of the company’s Customer Success function and held global leadership roles including SVP Enterprise Sales – EMEA and SVP Customer Success Global.

In his new role, Matthew will focus on driving SafeWorkforce’s growth and delivering greater value to SMEs across construction, facilities management, manufacturing, and the charity sectors, as businesses face an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

He added:

“This year businesses face new legislative challenges, from the Employment Rights Act which will have far reaching changes on well-established legislation, to evolving fire risk legislation that will impact all businesses including landlords and housing associations.

Helping our customers navigate, implement, and operationalise these updates will be a key focus for us over the coming 12 months.”

SafeWorkforce combines expert consultancy with powerful health and safety software, providing organisations with a single, centralised solution to protect their people and operate with confidence. Matthew’s appointment reinforces our commitment to supporting customers through change while helping them build safer, stronger organisations for the future.