Matthew Rouse named Managing Director to drive next phase of growth at SafeHR

SafeHR has appointed Matthew Rouse as Managing Director, marking a significant milestone as we continue investing in the future of our HR and people services.

With over 30 years’ experience supporting businesses to manage their people more effectively, SafeHR continues to evolve alongside the organisations we serve. Matthew’s appointment reflects our ambition to scale services, strengthen customer value and help SMEs navigate workforce and legislative change with confidence.

Joining in January 2026, Matthew brings over two decades of experience in HR, engagement and SaaS-led customer transformation. He now leads both SafeHR and SafeWorkforce, with responsibility for operational and commercial strategy across the brands.

Matthew said:

“At the heart of SafeWorkforce and SafeHR is a commitment to helping small and medium-sized businesses establish rigour and culture around safety and human resources. This isn’t about ticking boxes or meeting minimum compliance requirements, it’s about enabling organisations to grow in a way that is scalable, sustainable and responsible.

A strong foundation in EHS and HR is crucial, and with the support of our experienced subject matter experts we help businesses create a positive culture that supports long-term growth.”

During his time at EcoOnline, Matthew led global Customer Success transformation and enterprise growth across EMEA, strengthening his expertise in building high-performing, customer-first organisations.

Looking ahead, Matthew will focus on supporting SafeHR customers through a period of major legislative change.

He added:

“This year businesses face new legislative challenges, from the Employment Rights Act which will have far reaching changes on well-established legislation, to evolving fire risk legislation that will impact all businesses including landlords and housing associations in particular.

Helping our customers navigate, implement and operationalise these updates will be a key focus for us over the coming 12 months.”

SafeHR provides flexible HR consultancy and HR software support to more than 2,000 organisations. From employment law guidance to building high-performing teams, our tailored approach helps businesses grow with clarity and confidence.

Matthew’s leadership ensures SafeHR continues to be a trusted partner for SMEs navigating change, not just today, but for the long term.