Speakers

Nick Baxter

Nick Baxter is the Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) technical lead in HSE Science Division. Nick holds a BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Forensic Analysis and an MSc Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Science, from Loughborough University. Nick has been working in the area of RPE since 2006, leading incident investigations, HSE/external research, and representing HSE at RPE stakeholder working groups and committees. Nick was heavily involved in HSE’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic in the HSE Personal protective equipment (PPE) Technical Team; providing guidance to government departments on RPE selection and fit testing, giving training to the government procurement teams, answering questions from manufacturers and test houses, and assessing documentation for approval of non CE-marked PPE to enter the NHS supply chain. Nick is chair of the UK standards committee for RPE (PH/4), has contributed to the development of the new international performance standards for RPE and fit testing, and is contributing to the revision of European standards for RPE. Nick is the current Vice-President of the International Society for Respiratory Protection (ISRP) and will progress to be the President in 2026.

Ruby Fort-Persaud

Ruby Fort-Persaud is a Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Scientist in HSE Science Division. Ruby holds a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Bath, an MRes in Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance, and a PhD in Microbiology and Infection from the University of Birmingham, where her research focused on immune responses to vaccines against invasive Salmonella infections. Since joining HSE in 2023, Ruby has managed laboratory activities including proficiency testing and research projects. Alongside this core work, she contributes to incident investigations and uses her combined expertise in microbiology and respiratory protection to support cross-disciplinary projects and other groups within HSE’s Science Division, strengthening scientific approaches to worker health protection.