Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) has appointed Leanne Whitehurst-Maiden to the role of national digitalisation manager.
Whitehurst-Maiden will principally lead development of the company’s live365 online inspection software, across a national network of soon-to-be 14 depots. It represents a return to RSS, having worked for the business for nearly a decade from 2015. Based in Rotherham, she will report to Paul Glover, director of operations.
One of the lifting and rigging sector’s few leaders in digitalisation and compliance, Whitehurst-Maiden will pioneer the industry’s move towards wider uptake of the live365 system, which also has standardisation and training at its epicentre.
Whitehurst-Maiden said: “live365 is a multifaceted concept, incorporating many different aspects across the whole business with a collective goal to enhance digitalisation and compliance through standardisation. Digitalised inspections and anytime certification portal access increase compliance and traceability.
“Having immersed myself further in compliance software in the interim, focussing on the digitalisation of all safety critical documentation for lifting equipment, I’ve seen what fantastic developments it is offering to streamline compliance and improve traceability to move towards a safer industry for all.”
Steve Hutin, managing director at RSS, said: “Leanne is perfectly positioned to lead live365 into its next phase of development, which dovetails with an ambitious company-wide training programme. The concept has reached a pivotal point, where we have leveraged successful implementation and seen potential, but it needs a specialist to provide leadership and control — and that’s where Leanne comes in.
“As our recent company awards showcased, we already have digitalisation and compliance captains on board; Jake Folkes [manager] was commended for his oversight on live365, while Stephen Littler [regional manager] and Mark Barnard [operations manager] were recognised for implementing the system through training. With Leanne as figurehead, this central function of our business will now more readily permeate through all areas of the company.”
RSS customers can expect increased access to data analysis, which will give them the tools and visibility to interpret safety trends with the ultimate goal of enhancing preventative safety procedures. Digitalisation also chimes with ongoing investment in the company’s hire fleet; live365 will be crucial in standardising and synchronising systems, while striving to continuously improve internal compliance processes. Another essential element of live365 is supporting regional teams with marketing and sales materials, and presentations.
Whitehurst-Maiden added: “This is a huge undertaking for the company, connecting many different strands, but the opportunities are also huge. It shows how committed we are to digitalisation as the future of not only our organisation, but the wider lifting industry.”
Away from the workplace, Whitehurst-Maiden remains a dedicated sports fan; she is an avid follower of the Sheffield Steelers ice hockey team and Formula One racing.
