Flanagan Foodservice CEO Derek Kelleher Wins Silver Medal for CEO of the Year at OHS Canada Honours

KITCHENER, ON - Oct. 20, 2026 - Flanagan Foodservice is proud to announce that President and CEO Derek Kelleher has been awarded one of two silver medals for CEO of the Year at the OHS Canada Honours, recognizing his leadership and commitment to workplace health and safety.

Under Kelleher’s leadership, workplace safety has become a fundamental part of Flanagan Foodservice’s operations and decision-making. He reinforces the belief that every employee deserves to return home safely at the end of the day. This commitment is reflected in a culture where safety takes precedence over productivity, and employees are encouraged to speak up.

“I’m honoured to receive this recognition, but safety is a team effort. At Flanagan, we have a family-first mindset. I’m proud of our team’s commitment to building a culture where employees feel empowered to speak up, identify risks and look out for one another. We will continue to make safety a priority in everything we do.” – Derek Kelleher, President & CEO of Flanagan Foodservice

A key initiative introduced by Kelleher is a structured observation and coaching program that brings supervisors and leaders into the field to engage directly with employees about workplace risks and safe work practices. The program generates more than 100 safety touchpoints each month across a workforce of more than 350 hourly employees. During the first 10 months of the program, Flanagan achieved zero lost-time injuries.

Kelleher has also elevated safety to the executive level by restructuring the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) function to report directly to the President and CEO and establishing a dedicated Director of EHS role with direct access to the executive team. Safety is now a standing agenda item at vice-president and leadership meetings, reinforcing shared accountability throughout the organization.

His commitment extends beyond strategy to hands-on involvement. From hosting the company’s first full-day Saturday safety training for operations leaders to supporting safer material-handling equipment and implementing an EHS management system to track safety performance, Kelleher continues to champion proactive measures that help identify and address risks before they escalate.

“Derek’s leadership reflects the importance of putting people first and making safety a responsibility shared across the organization. This recognition is a testament to his commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, empowered and confident that their well-being comes first.” – Eric Huddleston, Director of Environment, Health & Safety

Through consistent communication, visible leadership and close collaboration with the EHS team, Kelleher continues to strengthen a culture where safety is not simply a policy, but a shared value embedded in everyday decisions.

Flanagan Foodservice congratulates Derek Kelleher on this recognition and remains committed to advancing workplace safety and ensuring the well-being of its employees.