For more years than he really cares to remember Richard Tremellen-Frost earned his living as a secondary school teacher, but in 1999 retrained as an environmental auditor and became self-employed.
Since then his career has taken off in several related directions and he now finds himself editing RSPH tutor packs that are sent all over the UK.
Since the Jersey Health and Safety legislation is largely based on that in the UK, there are few substantial differences, and any questions can usually find an answer through the internet.
I suddenly realised that I was qualified to do these things.
Now I am in control, not running to bells and a timetable,’ he said, with obvious satisfaction.
‘I select who I work with, there is no stress – but that is not to say there is no pressure.
To be honest, I can’t believe it.
When I think about it, who else would I want to work for?’ Being self-employed, he’s never needed to set up a company, as such.
‘When I first left teaching I did eventually sit down and do a business plan, went to see the various agencies such as Jersey Business Venture, but they said I was doing everything right.
I am registered as self-employed, but there is no tax advantage in setting up a company.
All that I make is invested back, in the computer system and so on.
I’ve never needed to advertise – it’s all been word of mouth.
As a scientist Mr Tremellen-Frost has always taken environmental issues seriously, but his interest in health and safety was really sparked after an accident at work when he fell off a ladder, an injury which eventually resulted in a hip replacement.
hrough his auditing work he has become familiar with a variety of businesses where safety is a practical issue, from shipping firms to States departments, looking at energy input, how it is used, and areas where costs could be reduced.
ut with a background in education it was natural to move into training.
Last year, for instance, he took on the food and hygiene courses for the hospitality industry’s Bienv’nue project, teaching international workers from 22 nationalities the basic skills.
‘That was a real privilege, because they were all keen to learn.
And I was able to learn from them, which was great.
Mr Tremellen-Frost’s latest venture, for the RSPH, is all the more surprising, given that he is dyslexic.
But with the advent of computers and spellcheck facilities, together with especially-made glasses, this is not a problem, he says.
Neither is the physical gap between Jersey and the UK mainland.
‘I did pop over in November, just to shake hands, but it all comes across as a CD Rom.
For the future, he would like to see firms in Jersey pay more attention to the specialists already working in the Island, instead of looking to the UK so often for expertise.
‘There are so many talented people in Jersey, in such a wide variety of fields.
