Building a Safer, Smarter Future: Launching

We’re thrilled to officially announce the launch of a new specialised arm within our Chemical Manufacturing division here at D R Newitt!

A Strategic Step Forward

This new division is led by Nafeel Mahmood, our Managing Consultant with deep expertise across hazardous and technically complex industries—including chemical manufacturing, oil & gas, and environmental services. Under his leadership, this focused team will connect highly specialised talent with businesses where safety, compliance, and sustainability are non-negotiable.

Joining Nafeel is Jack Drysdale, who brings growing expertise across engineering and manufacturing. Jack is supporting clients in the FMCG, chemical, and net-zero innovation sectors, helping to drive forward-thinking, sustainable operations.

This new specialist function adds to the outstanding work of our other consultants focused on R&D, flavour, fragrance, and product development recruitment—strengthening our position as a trusted recruitment partner across the full chemical and science-based value chain.

Why a Specialised Chemical Manufacturing Division?

“I chose to specialise in chemical manufacturing because it sits at the heart of high-risk, technically demanding sectors where recruitment has a direct impact on safety and business continuity. These environments require a deep understanding of COMAH regulations, process safety, and technical operations—and that’s where I add real value.”
- Nafeel Mahmood, Managing Consultant

Rather than taking a broad approach, Nafeel has chosen to go deep—partnering closely with clients and candidates to deliver tailored, strategic support in sectors where the stakes are high and the talent is niche. The aim? To help businesses build the teams they need to lead on safety, sustainability, and innovation.

What Sets This Division Apart?

While other areas of our business, such as those led by Gareth, Ryka, Nancy, and Ryan Buckley, focus on flavour, fragrance, and consumer product innovation, Nafeel’s division is focused on high-hazard, industrial environments.

These include:

Chemical manufacturing
Oil & gas
Environmental services
COMAH-regulated sites

The difference is not just in the product but in the risk profile, technical complexity, and regulatory landscape. Nafeel and his team are immersed in recruitment for engineering, operations, and SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality) roles—areas where precision hiring is essential.

Navigating a Talent-Short Market

One of the biggest challenges in hazardous industry recruitment is the scarcity of specialist talent. Roles such as process safety engineers, COMAH compliance officers, and environmental sustainability leads require a rare combination of technical and regulatory expertise.

“Balancing urgency with quality is critical in this market. Companies can't afford to compromise, and that means being laser-focused on finding the right match—quickly and thoroughly.”
- Nafeel Mahmood

Despite the challenge, this is exactly where D R Newitt excels: finding and placing professionals who make a genuine difference in high-risk and high-impact environments.

Supporting a Cleaner, Greener Future

We're proud to support businesses that are not just operationally excellent, but also forward-thinking in their environmental goals. From sustainability advisors to circular economy experts, we help companies future-proof their operations through smart, ethical hiring.

Whether you're scaling up a COMAH site, transitioning to net-zero, or improving process safety systems, our new division is ready to help you build the right team.