Coats, the world’s leading industrial thread manufacturer and a major player in the Americas textile crafts market, has appointed Richard Aceves in the newly created role of Global Environmental, Health and Safety Director.  The position has been created to enhance the global coordination and oversight of the existing well established structure of regional Environmental, Health and Safety Directors.  Richard is responsible for delivering global Environmental, Health and Safety strategy, policies and procedures and auditing compliance with them.

Richard has over 20 years’ experience in major, complex, global manufacturing businesses and has an in depth knowledge of environmental, health and safety across the manufacturing industry.  He was most recently HSE Director, at FMC Technologies, a global provider of subsea systems and technologies and services to the oil and gas industry.  Prior to that, Richard worked at IMI plc, a FTSE 100 global manufacturing and engineering business, where he held several senior roles including Vice President, HSE and Sustainability.

Andrew Speak, Chief Human Resources Officer, Coats, said: ‘A safe and healthy working environment is our number one priority at Coats.  We are targeting a reduction of incidents from an already low base so have created this dedicated role at a global level to help provide additional impetus to reach the ultimate aspiration of zero incidents.’

Richard has worked in global roles covering all continents with focus on Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. He is based in the US and reports to Andrew Speak, Chief Human Resources Officer.

Richard holds a Masters in Labour Relations and Human Resources from Michigan State University, an MBA in International Business Management from Chapman University, California, and a BS in Environmental Health and Safety from California State University Northridge.  He is a lean certified black belt.

ENDS