About Patrick Ryan MSc FIIRSM:
Fortis & Noble Founder & Lead Consultant
Key Areas of Expertise:
Psychosocial Risk & Behavioural Leadership Patrick specialises in integrating psychosocial risk into core safety strategy. His expertise is underpinned by in-depth research that critically explored the vital link between Psychosocial Risk Factors and Musculoskeletal Disorders, reflecting his evidence-based approach to wellbeing and performance.
- Advised leadership teams on ISO 45003-aligned strategy
- Coached managers to lead psychologically safe teams
- Delivered behavioural and psychosocial training for diverse workforces
Leadership in Major Programmes
Patrick served as Health and Safety Lead for The Euston Partnership, integrating HSE requirements across major programmes like HS2, Network Rail, Lendlease, and TfL.
He advised the Department for Transport on one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure programmes, including authoring a strategic paper on CDM duties in multi-client settings.
Pioneering Safety in Design
At HS2's Old Oak Common Station, Patrick shaped the project’s safety culture from inception, embedding safety into design coordination, onboarding, and leadership practices, holding designers and contractors to account.
Infrastructure & Delivery Expertise
From Crossrail and the Northern Line Extension to roles at Balfour Beatty Rail, Patrick has led HSE across rail, civils, utilities, and power. His expertise spans the full lifecycle: design, construction, and client-side assurance.
CDM & Compliance A qualified NEC3 Project Manager with deep knowledge of CDM 2015, Patrick advises clients on legal duties, risk reduction, and multi-stakeholder compliance—always balancing statutory requirements with operational reality.
Balanced Project Delivery
Patrick understands that successful project delivery requires alignment between safety, time, quality, and cost.
His practical leadership helps organisations coordinate complex demands while protecting people and performance with honesty, transparency, and strategic focus.
His belief: Safety is not a barrier to delivery; it’s a driver of sustainable success.
Fortis & Noble reflects this principle in every client engagement. proportionate and pragmatic advice.
As a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (FIIRSM) and the founder of Fortis & Noble, Patrick Ryan brings over 20 years of strategic health, safety, and environment (HSE) leadership to the forefront of organisational excellence.
His career is defined by a commitment to building safer, more resilient workplaces and by a deep expertise in psychosocial risk and major infrastructure programme delivery.
He launched Fortis & Noble to help organisations navigate the complex intersection of regulation, human performance, and safety-critical environments with clarity and confidence.
Patrick integrates real-world delivery with strategic insight, offering clients not just compliance, but cultural transformation. His belief: Safety is not a barrier to delivery; it’s a driver of sustainable success. Fortis & Noble reflects this principle in every client engagement.
Our Network of Trusted Associates
At Fortis & Noble, we pride ourselves on delivering bespoke, high-impact solutions.
While our core expertise is led by Patrick Ryan, we understand that complex challenges often require a diverse range of specialised skills. This is why we operate with a carefully curated network of trusted associates – highly qualified and vetted professionals who share our commitment to excellence, integrity, and practical, client-focused delivery.
How Our Associate Model Benefits You:
- Extended Expertise: Our associates bring niche specialisms in complementary fields, ensuring we can assemble the perfect team for your unique project needs, from specific technical safety disciplines to advanced organisational psychology.
- Flexibility & Scalability: This model allows us to scale our resources up or down rapidly, ensuring you always have the right level of support without unnecessary overheads, delivering efficient and timely outcomes.
- Consistent Quality: Every associate is thoroughly vetted and operates under the direct oversight and quality assurance of Fortis & Noble. We ensure all engagements uphold our rigorous standards for advice, delivery, and client partnership.
- Seamless Integration: We manage and coordinate the entire project, providing a single point of contact and ensuring a cohesive, streamlined experience for you, regardless of the complexity of the solution.
This collaborative approach means you benefit from broad, high-level expertise delivered with the focused, personal attention of a boutique consultancy.
Our Approach
At Fortis & Noble, we combine strategic oversight with practical, hands-on experience. Our consultancy is grounded in four core principles:
- Clarity – We simplify safety and compliance, turning legal duties into clear, actionable steps.
- Proportion – Our advice is always risk-based and fit for purpose, never overengineered.
- Partnership – We work alongside you as trusted advisors, not as tick-box consultants.
- Capability – We help you build systems and standards that last well beyond the audit.
What our Clients say.
Straight-talking, honest advice from someone who actually understands what happens on site. A rare find.
– HSQE Manager, National Infrastructure JV
"We were struggling to meet our client’s CDM requirements. Fortis & Noble clarified what was needed and helped us build a solid system."
– Project Manager, Tier 2 Contractor
“Finally — compliance support that isn’t just paperwork.
The behavioural audit gave us real insight.”
– Head of Safety, Local Authority