Safety and Reliability Society

What Safety and Reliability Society does

The Safety and Reliability Society (SaRS) is a UK-registered charity (No. 801207) and limited company by guarantee (No. 2348358), founded in 1980 as the professional body for safety, reliability, and risk management practitioners. It operates across nine regional branches spanning the UK (North of Scotland, Solent, Western, London, North West, Midlands), Europe (Italy), Asia-Pacific, and North America, serving an international membership base. SaRS holds a Licensed Member status with the Engineering Council (renewed for five years in May 2025), granting it authority to register Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Incorporated Engineers (IEng), and members may use post-nominals MSaRS and FSaRS to signal professional standing.

SaRS delivers its offering through a portfolio of membership-based professional services. Core products include individual and Affiliate Organisation memberships, a quarterly peer-reviewed journal published by Taylor & Francis, a monthly newsletter, a 125+ recorded webinar archive (2019 to 2026), a Body of Knowledge resource, regional branch CPD events, and representation on multiple BSI standards committees (DS/1, AMS/1, FSH/24, GEL/65/1, HS/1, PVE/3/6) plus CODERM, IMechE SRG, and HSE. Distribution is community-led via the website, branch networks, social media (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube), and Affiliate Organisation channels. A wholly-owned trading subsidiary, SaRS Ltd (No. 01586893), supports commercial activities.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual membership subscriptions (individual and Affiliate Organisation), with supplementary income from journal publishing via Taylor & Francis, event sponsorship, and job vacancy advertising for non-affiliates. Webinars are free for both members and non-members. Subscription pricing is not publicly disclosed. SaRS operates with a small UK-based team from a registered office in Oldham and a leadership team led by CEO Dr. Jacqueline Ward (PhD, CPsychol, MBE, HFSaRS), President Louise Whiting, and Chair Joanne Lewis, supported by a Council and Trustee Board.

Name

Safety and Reliability Society

Legal name

The Safety and Reliability Society

Website

https://sars.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Safety and Reliability Society is a UK-registered charity and licensed Engineering Council body that serves safety, reliability, and risk management practitioners worldwide through membership, CEng/IEng registration, journals, webinars, and nine international branch networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oldham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: SaRS generates revenue through annual membership subscriptions. Members pay subscriptions to join the society and receive access to the quarterly peer-reviewed journal, newsletter, webinars, technical seminars, branch events, CPD resources, and professional registration pathways.
2. Affiliate Organisation Membership: Organizations can join as Affiliate Organisations, providing employees with structured access to CPD, networking, and knowledge exchange. Fees for advertising job vacancies are available on request for non-affiliate organizations.
3. Webinar and Event Fees: SaRS organizes webinars, technical seminars, conferences, and training events. All SaRS webinars are free and open to members and non-members. Some events may offer sponsorship opportunities.
4. Journal Publishing: The Safety and Reliability Journal is published by Taylor & Francis. Members receive online access via the Members Area and a hard copy by post. Non-members can subscribe directly through Taylor & Francis.
5. Job Vacancy Advertising: SaRS links to job vacancies for Affiliate Organisation Members free of charge. Fees for advertising vacancies are available on request for organizations that are not Affiliate Organisation members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Safety and Reliability Society (SaRS) is a professional membership body and registered charity that provides cross-industry membership, post-nominal recognition (MSaRS, FSaRS), and Engineering Council registration pathways (CEng, IEng) to safety, reliability, and risk management practitioners. It delivers a quarterly peer-reviewed journal, monthly newsletter, extensive webinar programme, regional branch events across nine global branches, and a Body of Knowledge resource covering standards, ALARP guidance, and sector-specific content.

Product overview

The Safety and Reliability Society (SaRS) is a professional body for safety, reliability, and risk management practitioners, offering a unified portfolio of membership-based professional services. The core offering comprises membership with post-nominals (MSaRS, FSaRS), Engineering Council registration for CEng/IEng, a quarterly peer-reviewed journal, monthly newsletter, and an extensive webinar programme. These are supported by a Body of Knowledge resource, regional branch events across nine locations (UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America), standards development engagement through BSI committees, and an External Technical Activity Committee. Affiliate Organisation Membership extends these benefits to companies. All services are designed for cross-industry learning, CPD, and professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SaRS Membership Professional membership for safety, reliability, and risk management practitioners, from students to experienced engineers. Members receive post-nominals MSaRS and FSaRS, quarterly peer-reviewed journal, monthly newsletter, discounted access to conferences and events, and access to the Body of Knowledge and webinar archive.
• Engineering Council Registration (CEng/IEng) Professional registration pathway to Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, licensed by the Engineering Council. SaRS provides three rounds of professional review advice before formal submission and manages all aspects of registration through the Engineering Membership Committee (EMC).
• Safety and Reliability Journal Quarterly peer-reviewed journal covering safety, reliability, and related fields, published by Taylor & Francis and indexed on Thomson Reuters. Members receive online access via the Members Area and a hard copy by post; non-members can subscribe directly through Taylor & Francis.
• SaRS Newsletter Monthly newsletter keeping members informed of national, branch, and organisation news, including Engineering Council and Royal Academy of Engineering updates.
• SaRS Webinar Programme Free technical webinar series covering safety and reliability topics across multiple industries, with recordings available to members in the webinar archive. All webinars are free and open to members and non-members.
• Body of Knowledge Online reference library providing industry standards, dependability concepts, ALARP guidance, risk management resources, and sector-specific content for defence, rail, aviation, and oil and gas.
• Affiliate Organisation Membership Corporate membership for organisations demonstrating commitment to safety and reliability best practice, providing employees with structured access to CPD, networking, webinars, journal content, and knowledge exchange. Affiliate Organisation members receive free job vacancy postings.
• Regional Branch Events Local CPD events, AGMs, and expert-led networking opportunities run through nine branches: North of Scotland, Solent, Western, London, North West, Midlands, Italy, Asia-Pacific, and North America.
• Job Vacancy Service Job vacancy listing platform for safety and reliability roles, available free to Affiliate Organisation Members in the Members Area. Non-affiliate organisations can request advertising fees.
• SaRS Badge Branded SaRS badge available for purchase by members through the website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 125+ recorded webinars available in the members archive spanning 2019-2026
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Engineering CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS is a Licensed Member of the Engineering Council, providing registration for Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Incorporated Engineers (IEng). The licence was renewed for a further five years in 2025. SaRS EMC team manages all aspects of registration, and assessors volunteer their time. Three rounds of professional review advice are offered before formal submission.
• United Utilities PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate Organisation member of SaRS. Hosted the 2024 Affiliate Organisation Forum in Warrington. Phil Lang from United Utilities serves on the SaRS Council, Webinar Committee, and is a trustee and director.
• RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail Safety and Standards Board is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS. RSSB was set up as an independent body to address the need for a system-wide perspective on railway standards, research, and cross-industry functions. The 2026 AGM will be held at RSSB's London offices.
• WSPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSP is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS and partner for events. Peter Sheppard (Technical Director, Systems Assurance at WSP) served as SaRS Chair from November 2019. WSP also hosts SaRS London Branch events such as the People in Engineering series.
• AFRY LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRY Ltd is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, supporting the society's work in safety and reliability best practice.
• MOD DE&ScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOD DE&S (Defence Equipment and Support) is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, demonstrating commitment to safety and reliability in defence.
• Taylor & FranciscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Safety and Reliability Journal is published by Taylor & Francis, indexed on Thomson Reuters and other databases. Available in print and online. SaRS members have online access via the Members Area and receive a hard copy by post.
• CRA Risk AnalysisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRA Risk Analysis is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, demonstrating commitment to safety and reliability best practice.
• Relyence UK LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelyence UK Limited is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, supporting the society's mission.
• SQEPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSQEP is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, demonstrating commitment to safety and reliability best practice.
• Interactive Technical SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive Technical Solutions (ITS) is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS.
• TECSA S.r.l.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTECSA S.r.l. is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, based in Italy, reflecting the society's international reach.
• ProAIMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProAIM is an Affiliate Organisation of SaRS, supporting the society's work.
• British Standards Institution (BSI) – DS/1 DependabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS has a representative on BSI committee DS/1 responsible for the development and review of British Standards in dependability, physical asset management, and closely associated topics. DS/1 is responsible for the UK input into IEC/TC 56 and CEN/TC 319.
• BSI AMS/1 Asset ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS has representative Richard Denning on BSI committee AMS/1 (Asset Management), which acts as the UK mirror committee to ISO Technical Committee 251 responsible for International asset management standards including the ISO 55000 series.
• MoD Committee on Defence Equipment Reliability & Maintainability (CODERM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS is represented on the CODERM committee which facilitates cooperation of MoD and industry to maximise military capability through optimal levels of equipment R&M.
• IMechE Safety and Reliability Group (SRG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS engages with the IMechE Safety and Reliability Group which promotes the development of safety and reliability requirements for products such as equipment, systems or services. SaRS is organising the annual ALARP seminar.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS maintains engagement with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness.
• Hazards ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1989 by the Institutions of Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineers to provide an interdisciplinary focus for the study of disasters and promulgation of lessons learned.
• IChemE Safety and Loss Prevention Special Interest GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaRS engages with the IChemE Safety and Loss Prevention SIG which provides a network for all of those interested in safety within the process industries.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• System Safety Society: US-based professional society dedicated to system safety, offering certifications, conferences, and a journal. Direct peer in mission, structure, and target practitioner base.
• IEEE Reliability Society: Technical society within IEEE focused on reliability engineering, offering journals, conferences, and chapters. Directly comparable as a specialist professional body for reliability practitioners with similar publishing and event-based offerings.
• Society for Risk Analysis (SRA): International, multidisciplinary professional body for risk analysts. Shares the same membership-based, knowledge-dissemination model and directly competes with SaRS for risk management practitioners across industries.

Broad incumbents

• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE): Major UK chartered body offering engineering registration, CPD, and a Safety and Reliability Group that overlaps directly with SaRS's domain. SaRS collaborates with IMechE SRG on the ALARP seminar, evidencing direct overlap.
• Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE): Global chemical engineering body with a Safety and Loss Prevention Special Interest Group that SaRS engages with directly. IChemE is a primary destination for process safety practitioners, an overlapping audience with SaRS.
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET): Large UK chartered engineering institution also licensed by the Engineering Council for CEng/IEng registration. Competes with SaRS for safety/reliability practitioners seeking professional registration and CPD.

Regional players

• American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP): Leading US-based professional body for occupational safety and health practitioners, offering memberships, certifications, and a peer-reviewed journal. Comparable professional membership model serving a geographically distinct but functionally overlapping audience.

Emerging players

• International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA): International professional body focused on impact assessment, including safety and risk. Comparable membership and conference model with a more environmental and policy tilt than SaRS's engineering/systems focus.

Others

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE): UK national regulator for workplace health and safety with which SaRS maintains engagement. Comparable as a UK-based authority in safety, but as a government body it is a stakeholder/partner rather than a membership competitor.
• British Standards Institution (BSI): UK national standards body on whose committees (DS/1, AMS/1, FSH/24) SaRS holds seats. Adjacent enabler rather than direct competitor, but a critical partner whose standards work underpins SaRS's Body of Knowledge.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sarsociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SaRSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/safetyandreliabilitysociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safety-and-reliability-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safety and Reliability Society