Featuring Stephen Nicholls, Senior Consultant at Vantify
At Vantify, we believe that great health, safety, and compliance starts with people – the ones who care, who listen, and who go the extra mile to keep others safe. Behind every report, audit, or assessment is a consultant who’s passionate about making workplaces healthier, more sustainable, and more compliant. Our team isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about building relationships, finding solutions, and helping organisations grow responsibly.
Stephen Nicholls, one of our Environmental Health & Safety Consultants, shares what a typical day looks like in his world – where no two days are ever quite the same, and every journey brings new challenges and rewards.
What does a typical day look like for an environmental consultant?
It’s always exciting boarding the train from Poole and heading towards the hustle and bustle of London. The thing about consultancy is that no two days are ever the same, which adds to the anticipation of what lies ahead. Today could bring anything from delivering a bespoke training course, conducting a specialist ISO 14001 audit, or carrying out a compliance assessment at a client’s site.
What do you find interesting about the role?
With more than ten years of experience in environmental consultancy, I can confidently say this role never stops challenging me – and that’s what keeps it interesting. It’s far more than just understanding rules and regulations; it’s about helping clients do the right thing, inspiring better practices, and supporting them as they meet growing demands for sustainability from their key stakeholders.
At Vantify, that’s exactly what we do. We help clients assess their environmental compliance, highlighting what’s working well, what could improve, and providing clear, constructive action plans to help them get there. And environmental work is just one part of our ecosystem – we cover fire safety, health and safety, and so much more, ensuring our clients are supported from every angle.
Are there any site visits that particularly stood out to you?
On this particular day, my destination was a prestigious British Land site near Liverpool Street in London. As I arrived, the building stood grandly in the morning mist, which was just beginning to lift as the sun broke through. Inside, the modern architecture immediately caught my attention – a perfect reflection of design and innovation.
Can you tell us what your day looked like while working on this site?
After meeting the client and going through the brief, I reviewed the necessary documents before walking the site to verify that everything in practice matched what was on paper – from well-managed waste systems to efficient energy use. The building was a fine example of modern sustainability in action, equipped with a Grade B EPC rating and heat reclamation to help minimise its carbon footprint – no small feat in the heart of a busy city.
As the day concluded, the closing meeting went smoothly, with a client who was clearly proud of the hard work their team had put in. It’s always rewarding to leave on that note – knowing they have a clear summary of findings, no unexpected issues, and recognition for the progress they’ve made.
Then it’s time to head home, reflect, and begin writing the report, already wondering what tomorrow will bring. In this ever-evolving world of environmental health and safety, one thing stays constant – the satisfaction of knowing the work we do helps keep people safe and supports a more sustainable future.
What would you say to organisations considering working with Vantify?
If you’re looking for leading consultancy from people who genuinely care and want to help you, Vantify could be the perfect fit for you.
0203 337 3575
enquiries@vantify.com