AUSTRALIA EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE OF THE YEAR LAWYER MONTHLY LEGAL AWARDS 2025 86 legal outcome, as it demonstrated that the incident could have been prevented with proper adherence to safety protocols. It reinforced the importance of a detailed, systematic approach when evaluating safety systems and underscored the need for clear, fact-based testimony in influencing legal outcomes. With ESG increasingly under the microscope, how are you seeing businesses shift their approach — and where do you think many are still falling short? Businesses are increasingly integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their strategies, recognising the importance of sustainability and corporate responsibility. However, many still struggle with implementing meaningful actions beyond just compliance. While some focus on reporting ESG metrics, they often lack comprehensive systems for tracking and improving these areas across the board. The gap remains in aligning true cultural change with the ESG framework, particularly when it comes to longterm accountability and transparency in risk management. Difficulty also presents for smaller less mature organisations to embrace ESG due to a lack of knowledge, resourcing and funding, which is where specialist consultants/advisers can support meaningful outcomes. Your work spans both technical compliance and leadership development. How important is internal culture in preventing the kinds of failures that often end up in court? Internal culture is crucial in preventing the kinds of failures that lead to legal disputes. Technical compliance alone cannot replace a strong safety culture where leadership genuinely prioritises risk management and employee wellbeing. In my experience, organisations with a proactive
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