Leading as a Superhero: How Emma Willey Champions Wellbeing at ACS

With International Women's Day approaching, we want to take a moment to recognise someone who makes ACS the organisation it is today, our Managing Director, Emma Willey.

Following in the footsteps of her father, Professor Roger Willey, the founder and CEO of ACS, Emma has built on the company’s legacy while shaping its culture around wellbeing, integrity, and hands-on leadership.

Emma brings over 30 years of experience to the Health & Safety industry. She began her career in asbestos testing and became one of the first female asbestos analysts in Scotland, working her way through every operational role, from field technician and analyst to UKAS Quality Manager before becoming Managing Director of ACS in 2023.

Emma’s expertise is grounded in real experience. She has literally sweated in asbestos enclosures, crawled through ducts in full PPE, and carried out microscopy analysis across residential, commercial and industrial settings. With a Mathematics and Management MA from the University of St Andrews, she combines deep technical knowledge with practical leadership.

But what truly makes Emma exceptional is the way she leads people.

After surviving the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and experiencing PTSD, Emma chose to share her journey rather than hide it. Her openness has shaped the culture at ACS, creating a workplace where conversations about mental health and wellbeing happen naturally and without stigma.

Because of Emma, wellbeing at ACS is not treated as a tick-box initiative - it’s simply part of how we support each other and our clients every day. She leads with compassion, honesty and a genuine commitment to making workplaces safer and healthier for people.

Emma is also a mum of three, a School Governor, a Town Councillor and a passionate advocate for mental health and neurodiversity in our communities. Everything she does is driven by the belief that people deserve to feel supported, understood and valued at work.

Emma, thank you for the care, dedication and authenticity you bring to ACS every day. We are incredibly lucky to have you leading our team.

And today we celebrate all the incredible women across ACS and beyond who inspire, lead and support others every day. Happy International Women’s Day 💜