Exploring Standards with Assent

In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess is joined by Rob Clements, CEO and Director of Assent Risk Management, for a fascinating discussion on how ISO consultancy has evolved over the past 20 years.
Rob shares how he entered the industry from an IT background during the rise of ISO 27001 and information security management systems, a very different route from the traditional quality management pathway. Together, Jess and Rob explore the journey from paper-based management systems and ring binders to shared drives, specialist software platforms, and remote collaboration tools that have transformed the way organisations implement and maintain ISO standards.
The conversation also examines how client ownership has changed over time, with businesses now taking a much more active role in managing their own compliance systems. Rob discusses the growing trend of outsourced compliance functions, including Data Protection Officers and Quality Managers, and the value they can bring to organisations.
Finally, the episode explores the role of artificial intelligence in ISO consultancy, from the productivity gains and efficiencies it can deliver to the risks of over-reliance. Rob shares why, despite rapid technological advances, human expertise, judgment, and experience remain essential to achieving meaningful compliance and successful certification.
 
Connect with Assent:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement

This episode of Exploring Standards is a recording of a webinar hosted by Assent Risk Management in partnership with ISOQAR, exploring the upcoming changes to ISO 14001:2026 and what organisations need to know to prepare.
Featuring Robert Clements from Assent Risk Management and Natalie Walker from ISOQAR, this session brings together both consultancy and certification perspectives to cut through the speculation and focus on what is actually changing within the standard, what those changes mean in practice, and how organisations can position themselves for a smooth transition.
The conversation covers the key updates expected in ISO 14001:2026, how certified organisations can start preparing now, and what businesses considering certification should be thinking about before beginning implementation. The speakers also share insights into how certification bodies are likely to approach the transition process and what organisations can expect during the transition period.
The conversation covers the key updates expected in ISO 14001:2026, how certified organisations can start preparing now, and what businesses considering certification should be thinking about before beginning implementation. Robert and Natalie also share insights into how certification bodies are likely to approach the transition process and what organisations can expect over the coming years.
Whether you already hold ISO 14001 certification or are exploring environmental management systems for the first time, this episode provides practical guidance to help you understand the direction of travel and prepare with confidence.
Recorded as part of a live webinar hosted by Assent Risk Management and ISOQAR, the session also includes audience questions and expert insights into the future of environmental management and ISO 14001 certification.
 
Contact ISOQAR: https://isoqar.com/
ISOQAR 14001 Training: https://isoqar.com/training/iso-courses/
ISOQAR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/isoqar/
 
Digital.Lorators Free ISO 14001:2026 Awareness Course: https://digital.lorators.com/courses/iso-140012026-awareness-course/
 
Connect with Assent:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement

This episode of Exploring Standards is Part 2 of a live recording from the in-person event, “ISO 9001: Now and Into the Future,” hosted by Assent Risk Management in collaboration with Interface NRM.
Featuring Rob Clements from Assent Risk Management and Ryan Stevens from Interface NRM, this session continues the discussion from Part 1, bringing together both implementation and certification perspectives on one of the world’s most widely used standards.
In Part 1, the conversation explored what ISO 9001 is, why it remains widely adopted across the UK, and its role in supply chains and public-sector tenders. It also covered the upcoming 2026 revision, including key timelines and expected updates, and why organisations should view the changes as an evolution rather than a major overhaul.
In this episode, the focus shifts to real-world implementation. The speakers discuss the most common audit findings and pitfalls organisations face, insights from internal audit data across the last 12 months, and practical challenges such as document control, training records, and customer feedback in B2B environments. The episode also walks through the ISO 9001 certification process and what the transition to the 2026 revision is expected to look like in practice, including preparation steps and transition timelines.
The discussion closes with practical reassurance for certified organisations, emphasising that most businesses already have strong foundations in place, and that the upcoming changes are expected to be manageable with the right preparation.
Connect with Assent:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement

This episode of Exploring Standards, is a recording from an in-person event, “ISO 9001: Now and Into the Future,” hosted by Assent Risk Management in collaboration with Interface NRM.
Featuring Rob from Assent Risk Management and Ryan from Interface NRM, this session brings together both implementation and certification perspectives on one of the world’s most widely used standards.
The episode begins with a clear breakdown of what ISO 9001 is, why it remains so widely adopted across the UK, and the role it plays in supply chains and public sector tenders. From there, the conversation turns to the upcoming 2026 revision, including timelines, expected updates, and why organisations should see this as an evolution rather than a major overhaul.
Key themes include the growing focus on quality culture and ethics, new climate-related requirements, clearer separation of risks and opportunities, and a more structured approach to change management. The speakers also cover the core requirements of ISO 9001 from a practical, consultancy perspective, along with reassurance and advice for organisations already certified.
Stay tuned for part two, where the discussion continues.
 
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

The ISO 14001 standard has been updated, and there's a lot of noise around it, but should you be worried? In this episode, we break down exactly what's changed, what it means for your business, and why the transition is far more manageable than you might think.
In this episode we cover:
What ISO 14001 is and why it matters
The key changes in the 2026 update (spoiler: it's not as dramatic as 2015)
Why "lifecycle thinking" is now front and centre
How risks, opportunities, aspects & impacts have been restructured
The new planning of changes clause
What currently certified organisations need to do next
Why mindset matters more than documentation
The big message: Don't panic. You have approximately three years to transition, and certification bodies need to be trained first anyway. This update is a refinement, not a revolution.
🔗 Interested in our Early Adopter Scheme (discounted rates for new or transitioning certifications)? Get in touch using the link below.https://www.assentriskmanagement.co.uk/contact/
Connect with Assent:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement
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In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess sits down with Tobias Mielke, Global Product Manager at TÜV Nord, to explore one of the most overlooked dimensions of information security - culture. While many organisations treat ISO 27001 as a compliance checkbox, Tobias makes the case that the standard is actually a powerful framework for embedding security into the DNA of your organisation. From phishing emails to access controls, real security starts with how people think and behave when no one is watching.
 
What You'll Learn
What ISO 27001 is and why every organisation, regardless of size or sector,  needs to take information security seriously
The difference between having security policies and actually having a security culture
Why leadership buy-in isn't just helpful,  it's essential for any ISMS to succeed
How the risk assessment process helps employees understand their personal role in protecting information
Which Annex A controls typically require the biggest cultural shift (and why access management and incident reporting top the list)
How to embed security controls into daily habits rather than treating them as annual compliance exercises
The real-world external benefits of a strong security culture, from customer trust to commercial advantage
How to measure whether your security culture is genuinely improving, not just audit-ready
The single most important first step any organisation can take tomorrow to start building a real security culture
 
Key Takeaway
Security culture isn't built through policy documents,  it's built through people. When leadership visibly champions information security as a business priority, and when employees understand the why behind the controls, ISO 27001 transforms from a compliance label into a practical roadmap for lasting organisational change.
 
About Tobias
Tobias Mielke is Global Product Manager at TÜV Nord Group, based in Germany, where he oversees the technical development and ongoing support of a portfolio of management system standards, including ISO 27001 (Information Security Management Systems), ISO 27701 (Privacy Information Management), ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management), and ISO 42001 (AI Management Systems). In addition to his product management role, Tobias works as an ISO Lead Auditor for information security and related standards, with hands-on experience certifying organisations across multiple sectors, including critical infrastructure.
 
Connect with Tobias:
Website: https://www.tuv-nord.com/uk/en/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasmielke
Connect with Assent:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement
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In this episode of Exploring Standards, host Jess sits down with Cornelia Campbell-Swart, a healthcare compliance and safety professional with over 15 years of experience, to break down ISO 7101, the first ISO standard written specifically for healthcare organisations.
 
What You'll Learn
What ISO 7101 is and why it's a landmark standard for global healthcare
Which healthcare organisations benefit most, from large hospitals to small doctors' rooms
The biggest mistakes to avoid when starting implementation (spoiler: don't start with policies!)
The key processes and structures needed to meet ISO 7101 requirements
How ISO 7101 compares to, and can replace, ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001
What to monitor, including patient satisfaction and incident tracking
How to build a system that works for your organisation, not against it
 
Key Takeaway
Start where you are. ISO 7101 isn't about adding extra work or ticking boxes; most organisations are already doing much of what's required, just without structure. Build on what you have, involve your people, and let the system work for you.
 
About Cornelia Campbell-Swart
Cornelia is a healthcare compliance and safety professional based in South Africa with over 15 years of experience. She works with standards including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 7101, and is passionate about improving health, safety, and quality across healthcare facilities of all sizes. A nurse by heart, Cornelia brings a practical, people-first approach to quality management.
 
Contact Cornelia Campbell-Swart
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornelia-campbell-swart-a98b1b137/
Website: www.optimalsolve.com
Mobile: 071 803 9532
Telephone: 011 513 4141
Email: health@optimalsolve.com
 
Connect with Assent:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement
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In this episode, host Jess sits down with Gary Beales from UTAC, an expert in management systems and certification implementation for the automotive sector, to explore IATF 16949, the international quality management standard designed specifically for the automotive industry.
What You'll Learn:
What IATF 16949 is and why it matters for organisations in the automotive supply chain
How the standard builds on ISO 9001 and the key differences between the two
The commercial and operational benefits of implementing IATF 16949
How certification can help organisations access global automotive markets and win tenders
Where companies typically see return on investment from implementing the standard
The process for organisations looking to upgrade from ISO 9001 to IATF 16949
Whether businesses should run ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 in parallel
The role of accreditation bodies and how global recognition works for certification
Key Takeaway:IATF 16949 is more than just an upgrade from ISO 9001 - it’s a specialised automotive quality framework that helps organisations strengthen processes, improve efficiency, and unlock opportunities within the global automotive supply chain.
 
About Gary:Gary Beales is an Account Manager at UTAC. With extensive experience in management systems and certification since 2012, Gary supports organisations looking to implement and maintain certification frameworks, particularly within the automotive sector. His expertise helps businesses understand the value of management systems and navigate the certification process effectively.
 
Connect with UTAC:
UTAC Certification | ISO & IATF for Automotive Suppliers
UTAC: Posts | LinkedIn
 
Connect with Gary:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbeales/
Phone: 07974 068 768
Email: gary.beales@utac.com
 
Connect with Assent:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/associate-enterprises-ltd-t-a-assent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement
Subscribe for more episodes exploring standards, compliance, and governance topics!