David Lissah
IIRSM Vice Chair – Ireland | 30 years in operations, shop floor to boardroom | Mentoring operational managers to lead well under pressure
Chartered Manager with a Master’s-level qualification in Strategic Management & Leadership, combining formal expertise with three decades of operational experience across regulated and high-pressure environments.
A Journey of Leadership Growth
Ineffective management is not just a performance issue. In regulated industries, it is a risk issue.
I’ve spent my career working in environments where pressure, compliance, and human decision-making all collide. From starting on the shop floor in the early 90’s to senior roles across military, facilities management, engineering, and construction, I have witnessed first-hand how leadership, risk, and resilience are non-negotiable.
Time and again, the biggest risks haven’t come from a lack of rules or process, but from placing people into management roles without the support, space, or preparation they need to lead well. Managers manage things, but lead people. Yet in the 21st century, we still promote people into management and call them “people managers,” then wonder why teams disengage, mistakes happen, and risk increases. Pressure doesn’t disappear, it simply transfers, usually onto others.
My perspective is grounded in lived experience: mentoring operational managers, observing regulated environments, and contributing to professional communities, including my role as Vice-Chair of IIRSM Ireland. I focus on helping managers develop judgement, consistency, accountability, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and communication, qualities that consistently distinguish those who perform when it matters most.
Areas of Focus & Expertise
My work spans regulated and high-pressure sectors, helping organisations develop operational leadership and resilient teams:
- Healthcare, Safety & Environmental
- Logistics & Supply Chain
- Facilities Management & Construction
- Manufacturing & Engineering
- Legal & Compliance
I focus on operational management under pressure, emphasising practical decision-making, leadership development, and resilience, helping managers lead effectively while ensuring teams remain engaged and performance is maintained.
Leadership Scale and Impact
Across my 30-year career, I have led teams and projects in environments where operational excellence, compliance, and safety are critical. Key metrics include:
132
Team Size
Successfully led teams of up to 132 personnel across diverse operational environments.
£10.5M
Budget Managed
Leadership responsibility for substantial operational budget allocation and optimisation of up to £10.5 million.
£150M
Project Scale
Contributed expertise on projects from minor works <£1million to major capital schemes of circa £150 million.
£1Billion
Property Portfolio
Responsible for overseeing regulatory compliance across large property portfolios valued up to £1Billion, from administration offices to Cat 3 UK Home Office Licenced Research Laboratories.
Current Roles
Fractional Operations Specialist
Lissah & Boyle
Apr 2025 to Present
Mentoring technical professionals and operational managers, helping organisations improve leadership capability, operational performance, and resilience under pressure.
IIRSM Ireland Vice-Chair (Non-exec)
IIRSM Ireland Branch
Sep 2024 to Present
Bridging global strategy with members’ real-world experience. Advocating for leadership that is practical, inclusive, and rooted in decision-making under pressure.
Selected Previous Roles
Group Head of Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance
Capital City College · Contract
Jun 2021 - Dec 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos
Associate Director of Safety & Assurance
King's College London · Full-time
Jan 2009 - May 2021 · 12 yrs 5 mos
UK & Regional Facilities Manager & BCP Co-ordinator
Kleinwort Benson · Full-time
Dec 2007 - Dec 2008 · 1 yr 1 mo
Facilities Manager
City St George’s, University of London · Full-time
May 2003 - Dec 2007 · 4 yrs 8 mos
Supporting Leaders & Teams
This portfolio reflects my experience supporting managers and operational leaders in regulated industries. It highlights the importance of developing management capability, operational resilience, and leadership judgement, helping organisations ensure teams perform under pressure without compromising safety, engagement, or compliance.
For CEOs, Operations Directors, People Partners, and Directors of HR, the focus is on building future leaders who can navigate complexity and pressure effectively, creating safer, resilient, and high-performing teams. Our Better Manager Programme provides structured support, guidance, and reflection for managers to understand how they show up under pressure, and what they can do differently to lead with clarity and consistency.
Supporting managers to pause, reflect, and lead with intention.
Professional Licences & Accreditations
Accredited Strengths Coach
Change Management Practitioner
Chartered Manager
Official IIRSM Partner
Life Outside of Business
When David is not working with business owners or mentoring future leaders, you’ll most likely find him with a canine friend by his side. He is a passionate dog lover and proud canine foster carer, providing temporary homes and a bit of extra love to dogs in need.
These moments away from the desk are the things that recharge David, keep him grounded, and a reminder why empathy and resilience matter just as much in life as they do in business.
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