From Sir George Earle to Lord Jordan: Celebrating a legacy of safety excellence
For more than seven decades, RoSPA’s Health and Safety Awards have recognised organisations and individuals who go above and beyond to protect lives and prevent accidents. At the pinnacle of this globally respected scheme sits its most prestigious honour, the award that represents the very best in safety leadership, commitment and performance.
A trophy rooted in vision and leadership
The story of this top accolade begins in 1954, when Sir George Earle, then President of the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd, addressed the National Industrial Safety Conference. In his speech, he championed the importance of competition, achievement and reward in driving higher safety standards.
True to his word, Sir George Earle backed his vision with action, presenting a striking silver Victorian inkstand for annual competition. This became the Sir George Earle Trophy, a symbol of excellence that would go on to define the highest level of achievement within the annual RoSPA Health and Safety Awards.
Since then, the trophy has been awarded to organisations that not only demonstrate outstanding safety performance, but also act as leaders within their sectors, setting benchmarks and inspiring others. Today, the winner is selected from the very best of RoSPA’s sector-leading organisations, reinforcing its status as the ultimate recognition of safety excellence.
A legacy that evolves with purpose
As RoSPA celebrates its 70th anniversary, this milestone presents a meaningful opportunity to both honour the past and look to the future.
In this landmark 70th anniversary year, the Sir George Earle Trophy is being renamed the Lord Jordan of Bournville Trophy in honour of our Life President, recognising a lifetime dedicated to advancing health and safety and reflecting RoSPA’s enduring commitment to celebrating those who make a lasting difference.
Honouring Lord Jordan’s extraordinary contribution
Lord Jordan’s connection to safety is deeply personal and spans a lifetime of advocacy and global leadership.
Beginning his career at just 15 as a machine toolmaker, he witnessed first-hand the consequences of inadequate safety practices in the workplace. This experience shaped a lifelong commitment to protecting workers, leading him to become a safety representative while working at GKN in Birmingham.
From there, Lord Jordan rose through the trade union movement, eventually becoming President of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union and later General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, representing 125 million workers worldwide. Throughout his career, he consistently championed safe and decent working conditions as a fundamental right.
His global influence included campaigning against child labour in Southeast Asia, tackling forced labour in Myanmar, and advocating for a “social clause” in international trade agreements, ensuring safety and fairness were embedded at the highest levels of decision-making.
Within RoSPA, Lord Jordan has played an equally impactful role. Serving as President from 2008 to 2013 and now as Life President, he has tirelessly promoted the importance of knowledge sharing, encouraging high-performing organisations to learn from one another and raise standards across industries.
A lifetime champion of workplace safety and workers' rights
- Began work at 15 as a machine toolmaker, witnessing the real impact of poor safety standards
- Served 25 years in industry, including time in the Royal Air Force
- Became a Safety Representative at GKN, driven to improve workplace conditions
- Rose to President of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union
- Led the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, representing 125 million workers globally
- Campaigned internationally against child labour and forced labour
- Influenced global trade policy to include safe and decent working conditions
- Served as RoSPA President (2008–2013) and now Life President
- Continues to advocate for a National Accident Prevention Strategy
Reflecting the spirit of the award
Renaming the trophy in Lord Jordan’s honour captures the essence of what the award represents:
- A lifelong commitment to safety
- Leadership that inspires change at every level
- A belief in collaboration and shared learning
Building the future on strong foundations
As RoSPA marks 70 years of celebrating excellence, this evolution ensures that its highest accolade continues to inspire future generations, recognising the outstanding performance of those who lead, influence and transform safety culture for the better.