The mission facing Maarit Koivupalo, 41, the HSEQ Manager at VINCI Energies Finland, is to ensure that the business units are constantly improving in health, safety, environment and quality. Since late 2022, when VINCI Energies purchased the Finnish business TLT, which specialises in solutions for electricity and telecommunications network operators, this mission has been on a whole new scale. 

“We have doubled in size and now have about 500 employees,” she confirms. “We are implementing an integrated HSEQ management development plan in support of this new stage in the business unit’s development. The aim is to introduce the excellence of the VINCI Energies safety and environmental culture into every business unit.” 

In September 2023, Maarit Koivupalo launched sessions to present key elements in the HSEQ strategy to each business unit. “The idea is to talk with managers to gain an understanding of their needs and prepare for the implementation of action points in the field.” 

In this cross-business mission involving not only business units but also the various support functions (communications, HR, IT, etc.), she is supported by the division’s network of HSEQ representatives in every country. “This support is invaluable, especially with regard to the large-scale development of principles, guidelines and tools. Through this network, I’m also learning a lot about the energy industry.”