This month we caught up with Paula Santomauro from Your Company Works…
Paula Santomauro is founder of Your Company Works, providing calm, professional and friendly health and safety and fire safety support for busy business owners, office managers and operational teams across companies of all sizes.
Outside of work, Paula is passionate about animal welfare and provides voluntary health and safety support to the RSPCA.
She’s lived in Barley since 2012 with her four cats and tortoise, Toby, who is somewhere between 80 and 100 years old. It was later discovered that Toby is actually female!
Tell us about the services you offer
I set up Your Company Works in 2012 after 11 years managing workplace, facilities, health and safety and fire safety responsibilities at EY, working my way up to a national role. I went back to university afterwards and gained a BSc (Hons) First Class Honours degree in Safety, Health and Occupational.
I could see that local businesses needed access to experienced, competent health and safety advice without having to take on a large, impersonal consultancy. Your Company Works was built to fill that gap.
Today I support business owners, office managers and operational managers with:
- Health and safety policies and risk assessments
- Fire risk assessments and fire safety support
- DSE and workstation assessments, including for remote and hybrid teams
- Staff training, audits and ongoing competent-person support
Some clients need a single assessment or a short project. Others want someone they can turn to whenever a question comes up. Either way, my advice is always bespoke, proportionate and practical, that protect people and fit how the business actually operates, not paperwork for its own sake.
What are your clients’ most common problems?
Most clients contact me because they feel overwhelmed and worried about getting something wrong. Others get in touch after an accident, an inspector’s visit, or a move into new premises.
My job is to remove that confusion, work out what’s genuinely required, and take it forward calmly and one step at a time.
How is your approach different from a larger consultancy?
Businesses speak directly to me, not a rotating cast of consultants. I take the time to understand the business and how much support they realistically have time to manage, whether that’s me taking the lead or a guiding hand while they build their own confidence.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relief on someone’s face when they realise their health and safety responsibilities are manageable, not overwhelming. Ultimately, it’s about helping prevent injury and ill health, and building safer, healthier workplaces.
Tell us about you, what do you like most about the local area?
The friendliness and the strong sense of community. There’s always something happening locally, but we also have beautiful countryside on the doorstep. I particularly value how local businesses support one another through recommendations and genuine relationships, which matters enormously when you’re running a small business yourself.
What is your favourite local place to eat?
The Fox and Hounds is a firm favourite for a relaxed meal with friends and family. I also enjoy the Chalk Hare.
What is your favourite local shop?
Ladds on Royston High Street. I enjoy crafting, so it’s always tempting to browse the supplies. Independent shops add real character to our towns, and I think supporting them matters.
What is the last book you read?
The sixth edition of the Approved Code of Practice for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations! Not everyone’s idea of a page-turner, but health and safety guidance keeps evolving, so keeping mine current is part of the job!
What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday?
Dinner at the Fox and Hounds, catching up with friends and family, or getting cosy on the sofa with the cats. A good weekend usually has a bit of both.
What is the most valuable life lesson you have learnt?
Change is part of life, and nothing stays the same forever. It’s taught me to listen carefully, look past the noise, and focus on what’s actually happening. My advice to any business owner is simple: stay calm, take things bit by bit, and keep them simple.
I offer a free initial consultation for exactly this reason, it’s a no-pressure conversation to understand where you are now and what support might actually help.
Your Company Works is available on a one-off, project or ongoing basis, delivered remotely or on-site, with a free initial consultation available.
To find out more anc contact Paula,
Visit: www.yourcompanyworks.com FB: @yourcompanyworks Insta: @yourcompanyworks LinkedIn: @your-company-works
Email: paula@yourcompanyworks.com
Telephone: 07799 533 094
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