Exploring Standards with Assent

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess sits down with Kathy Clements from Assent Risk Management — creator and author of the new IDEA Standard (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) — to break down what the standard is, why it was created, and how any organisation can start implementing it. Kathy explains how the IDEA Standard brings together four critical areas into one structured, ISO-style framework that's designed to be low-cost, low-time-commitment, and accessible to businesses of every size, from sole traders to large enterprises. Topics covered: What the IDEA Standard is and how it works The gaps in existing frameworks that led to its creation Why the Equality Act protects everyone — not just specific groups How the standard clips into existing ISO certifications What IDEA looks like in practice: recruitment, accessibility, and workplace design The self-serve Pledge Mark assessment process Available formats: downloadable standard, template pack, guidance notes, and the Implementer Course Find out more and get the standard at www.ideamark.co.uk Connect with Kathy Clements on LinkedIn   Connect with Assent: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ Instagram: @assentriskmanagement  

ISO 9001:2026 has officially been published, so what does the new version actually mean for organisations already working to ISO 9001:2015? In this episode of Exploring Standards, Jess is joined by Robert Clements from Assent Risk Management to take a practical look at the latest update to the world's most widely used quality management standard. We talk through the key changes in ISO 9001:2026, what they mean in practice, and what organisations should be thinking about now as they prepare for the transition. In this episode, we cover: What ISO 9001:2026 means for organisations currently certified to ISO 9001:2015 The key changes in the new edition, including quality culture, risks and opportunities, leadership, change management, organisational knowledge and improvement Whether organisations need to make major changes to their existing QMS How the three-year transition period works What to expect from certification bodies as they prepare for the new standard Different approaches to transitioning, from moving early to aligning the transition with your next recertification What the update means for customers and supply chains Why your ISO 9001:2015 certification remains valid during the transition period   Show notes & resources 📅 ISO 9001:2026 Webinar with SGS 8 October 2026 | 1:00pm https://streamyard.com/watch/3X84tJyR3SSw 📺 Can't make the webinar live? The recording will be available to watch on our YouTube channel.   Connect with Assent: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ Instagram: @assentriskmanagement  

What does an ISO 27001 or SOC 2 assessment actually involve, and how can organisations prepare for it? In Part 2 of this two-part discussion, we take a closer look at the assessment process for both ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Sam Mather from Assent and Rob Hall from Tempo Audits explore what auditors look for, the differences between an ISO 27001 audit and a SOC 2 assessment, and the role of evidence and preparation. The conversation also covers SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 assessments, how organisations can prepare for a successful audit or certification, common challenges businesses face, and why planning ahead can make such a difference. Originally recorded as part of an Assent Risk Management webinar, this conversation has been adapted into a two-part episode of Exploring Standards. 🎧 Listen to Part 2 to hear practical advice on preparing for ISO 27001 and SOC 2, avoiding common pitfalls, and approaching your assessment with confidence. In this episode: What auditors look for during ISO 27001 and SOC 2 assessments The differences between the ISO 27001 audit and SOC 2 assessment process SOC 2 Type 1 vs Type 2 How to prepare for a successful audit or certification The importance of evidence and preparation Common challenges when implementing ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Practical advice for organisations preparing for assessment Contact Assent: Website: www.assent1.com Email: [email protected] Connect with Assent: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ Instagram: @assentriskmanagement   Contact Rob: www.tempoaudits.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/robjshall/

ISO 27001 and SOC 2 are two of the most in-demand information security frameworks, but how do they actually compare, and how do you know which one your organisation needs? In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Sam from Assent Risk Management and Rob Hall from Tempo Audits to break down the similarities and differences between these two frameworks. They cover the shared risk-based approach and overlapping controls both frameworks require, the key methodology differences (ISO 27001's management-system approach vs. SOC 2's focus on control effectiveness), and why customers request one, the other, or both, from industry mandates and customer location to commercial and cost considerations like SOC 2's trust services criteria. This is part one of a two-part series adapted from a live Assent Risk Management webinar. Stay tuned for part two, where the conversation continues. Contact Assent: Website: www.assent1.com Email: [email protected] Connect with Assent: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ Instagram: @assentriskmanagement   Contact Rob: www.tempoaudits.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/robjshall/  

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Derek Geyer from DHG Quality Consultants to break down BS 99001, the quality management standard built specifically for the construction and built environment sector. Derek explains why ISO 9001, while valuable, simply wasn't designed for the complexity of construction, with its temporary teams, long supply chains, changing designs, and overlapping trades. BS 99001 steps in to fill that gap, offering a practical, project-specific framework that reflects how construction projects actually work. In this episode, we cover: What BS 99001 is and how it sits alongside ISO 9001 Who needs it, from main contractors to design consultants and clients How it's becoming a differentiator in tendering and PQQ processes The biggest gaps in traditional quality management when applied to construction Why the built environment needs its own tailored approach Key principles that make BS 99001 different, from project-specific quality planning to evidence, traceability, and interface management The role of collaboration across contractors, consultants, and suppliers Practical improvements organisations see when it's implemented properly Common misconceptions and challenges when first adopting the standard Guest: Derek Geyer, DHG Quality Consultants Derek Geyer has 30 years of experience in the construction industry. Having worked across site, office, and project management roles, Derek spent the last decade focusing exclusively on quality in construction, conducting gap analyses, supporting organisations through standard implementation, and working with those involved in the BS 99001 pilot scheme. DHG Quality Consultancy Website: https://www.dhgqualityconsultancy.com/   Derek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-geyer-cqp-mcqi-89b3b4124/ Connect with Assent: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQ Instagram: @assentriskmanagement