Matthew Nichols

Matthew Nichols is an internationally recognised specialist in hazardous area safety, industrial risk management, and explosion protection systems, with more than 20 years of experience across the oil & gas, chemical processing, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

As Senior Technical Consultant at Vanguard Industrial Safety Solutions, Matthew has led major compliance and operational safety projects throughout Europe, the Middle East, and offshore environments in the North Sea. His expertise includes ATEX and IECEx compliance, hazardous area classification, intrinsically safe system design, and inspection programmes for high-risk industrial facilities.

Beginning his career as an electrical engineer, Matthew developed a strong reputation for combining practical site experience with strategic safety leadership. Over the years, he has advised multinational operators on asset integrity, process safety improvements, emergency response planning, and the implementation of digital technologies designed to enhance workforce safety in hazardous environments.

Matthew is a regular speaker at international industry conferences and technical forums, where he is known for delivering practical, engaging presentations that help organisations translate complex regulations into real-world operational improvements. He has also contributed to industry publications and working groups focused on hazardous area standards, safety culture, and emerging industrial technologies.

At this year’s event, Matthew will present on “The Future of Hazardous Area Safety: Integrating Smart Technologies with Operational Risk Management.”