The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has announced the appointment of Sarah Leeson as its new President for the 2026-2027 term. The decision was made official at BOHS’s Annual General Meeting, marking the beginning of a new era of leadership for the Society as it works towards achieving its ambitious 5-year strategy for 2026-2030 and furthering its mission of safeguarding worker health in the UK and around the world.
Leeson takes over the role from her predecessor Adrian Parris and brings with her over 30 years of experience in occupational hygiene, as well as a long history of service to the profession and the Society. As a Chartered Occupational Hygienist and a Chartered Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene (CFFOH), Leeson has held numerous senior occupational hygiene positions, including Industrial Hygiene Manager for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East where she oversaw occupational hygiene programs across multiple countries.
In addition to her extensive professional experience, Leeson has also been heavily involved in BOHS, serving as the Registrar of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene (FOH) since 2019 and as a member of the Faculty Committee for six years prior. Through these roles, she has played a key role in establishing, developing, and maintaining professional standards within the occupational hygiene profession, and has represented the Faculty on the BOHS Board of Trustees.
Expressing her gratitude for the appointment, Leeson stated, “It is a tremendous honor to serve as President of BOHS at such an important time for both the Society and the occupational hygiene profession. Worker health protection has never been more critical, and BOHS is uniquely positioned to lead, influence, and support positive change both in the UK and internationally.”
She also shared her goals for her term as President, saying, “I want to build on the Society’s strong foundations, support the delivery of our new Strategy for 2026–2030, and continue to raise the profile of occupational hygiene. I am particularly passionate about encouraging professional development and supporting more members to progress through the profession and achieve Chartered status. I also look forward to helping expand BOHS’s global influence through initiatives that improve worker health protection worldwide.”
Assuming the role of President-Elect alongside Leeson is Jason Hodgkiss, a Qualified Occupational Hygienist and Specialist Member of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene (FFOH(S)), as well as a Fellow of the Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FFAAM) and holder of the Institute of Directors’ Diploma in Company Direction (DipIOD).
Hodgkiss has been a BOHS member since the early 1990s and has made significant contributions to the Society over the years. He has previously served as a BOHS Regional Organiser and completed a three-year term on the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene Committee, where he contributed to the Faculty’s “Driving Up Standards” initiative. In the past year, he has worked as the Occupational Hygienist on one of the UK’s largest construction projects, playing a critical role in raising awareness of occupational health risks and the importance of protecting workers from harmful exposures.
Commenting on his appointment, Hodgkiss said, “I am honored to have been elected President-Elect and look forward to supporting Sarah and the wider BOHS community over the coming years. Occupational hygiene has a crucial role to play in preventing work-related ill health, and there is still a significant opportunity to ensure that health receives the same level of attention and priority as safety across all industries.”
He also expressed his excitement to contribute to BOHS’s legacy of advancing standards, supporting professional development, and improving worker health outcomes, saying, “BOHS has a proud history of advancing standards, supporting professional development, and improving worker health outcomes. I am excited to help build on that legacy and contribute to the delivery of the Society’s ambitious vision for the future.”
Professor Kevin Bampton, Chief Executive of BOHS, praised the appointments, stating, “Sarah and Jason bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion to these leadership roles. Both have made outstanding contributions to occupational hygiene and to BOHS over many years. Their commitment to professional excellence, worker health protection, and the development of our profession will be invaluable as we continue to deliver our strategy for 2026–2030 and strengthen our impact both nationally and internationally.”
Leeson and Hodgkiss will be supported by the wider BOHS Board of Trustees, a diverse group of individuals with specialized knowledge and perspectives from across the occupational hygiene, worker health protection, and related disciplines. More information about the 2026-2027 BOHS Board of Trustees can be found on the society’s website.
