Each week, we spotlight a StandOut individual who has made an extraordinary impact within the events industry. This week, we’re featuring Richard Bradshaw, director of Rebel Safety.

How did you get into the events industry? Where has your career taken you and what roles have you enjoyed?

I started in theatre and live events before moving into film and TV. It was creative and fast-paced, which suited me perfectly.

What stood out early on was how safety often arrived late in the process, as if it were there to hinder rather than help. That never made sense to me.

I founded Rebel Safety to show that safety could work differently. We enable creativity instead of stifling it.

The best projects are the ones where we’re involved from the start, shaping ideas rather than catching up with them.

What is it about your job that you love doing?

Every production is its own puzzle. New people, new locations, new challenges. You never get the same day twice. I love finding the way to how. When someone says, “We can’t do that, it’s too risky,” my brain immediately goes to, “What would make it possible?”

The best results are invisible. When everything runs according to plan. That’s the quiet win.

What’s been the stand out moment of your career so far?

Helping to shape national guidance for production and event safety has been a real highlight. Seeing our contributions applied across the event and television industries is something I take pride in.

I’ve also been fortunate to work on some incredible live events and broadcasts where everything has to come together perfectly. The most rewarding moments are often subtle. When a training course attendee has that eureka moment or when the producer says, “That was easier than I expected.” That’s what effective safety should feel like. Useful and understated.

What’s been your biggest achievement? Equally, what have you done that you can now look back on and be super proud of due to its challenges?

Building Rebel Safety into a name people trust. From a better approach and a few brave clients to supporting live events and TV programmes across the UK.

My proudest moments come when I see our approach influencing how people think about safety, both on-site and in training. Not as red tape but as part of how good production happens.

What key pieces of advice would you give to someone starting in events?

Be constantly curious. Learn the whats and the whys. Earn trust before you ask for it. Credibility is built by doing it, not just talking about it.

What career goals do you have and where do you see yourself heading? For example, is there an event that you would love to work on but haven’t?

I want Rebel Safety to keep pushing the industry forward. To prove that production and event safety are collaborative and part of the creative process. We’re expanding our safety training programme and professional network with a shared mindset: people who see safety as an enabler, not a limitation.

As for dream projects, I love working on projects that combine scale, story, and spectacle. The kind of productions that prove creative ambition and safety can share the same stage. Watch this space!

Nominate your #EventProf of the week or sponsor an #EventProf and align your brand with the best in the industry by emailing marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk