ISO Quality Services Ltd September Newsletter

Our Recently Certified Clients

We are pleased to announce that the following clients have had their presentation and received their certificates from ISO Quality Services Ltd in the month of August:

The Wool Packaging Company Ltd

On Tuesday 2nd August 2016, The Wool Packaging Company were presented with their ISO 14001 Quality Management certificate. The Wool Packaging company provide insulated wool packaging as a natural, eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to man-made polymers.

In addition to their ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification, The Wool Packaging Company have just been awarded their ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification.  Lead Assessor Andy Graham presents Josie Morris with their ISO 14001 Certificate.

Millicom Services UK Ltd

On Wednesday 10^th August 2016, Millicom Services UK Ltd were presented with their BS OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management Certificate. Millicom provide a wide range of mobile services, cable TV and broadband which are available in 13 markets in Africa and Latin America, connecting people for the first time to the internet and making digital lifestyle a reality for more than 62 million people.

Lead Assessor Rick Allard (right) presents Garry Bridgewater, Global HS&E Manager (left), Lina Palli, Project Management & Corporate Security with their BS OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management Certificate.

It is still a common misconception that hacks and data breaches only happen to larger businesses, but alarmingly 74% of small businesses in the UK suffered a data breach in the last year.

What sort of measures should you have in place to minimise the risk? What is out there to help?

The Cyber Essentials Scheme is a Government backed initiative tasked with providing guidance for businesses of all sizes in various sectors, with two tiers of assessment. The scheme helps put companies in a position to protect themselves against basic cyber-attacks through a set of security controls, within their IT systems, which include: Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways, Secure Configuration, Access Control, Malware Protection and Patch Management.

The initiative provides “basic but essential” protections that any business should have in place to minimise threats, to which the business is assessed and certified. This level of protection allows a business to demonstrate to customers that cyber threats are understood and measures are in place to protect their information.

But threats to security aren’t just cyber – what do you do if a data breach is physical not digital. This is where the ISO 27001 Information Security Standard comes in. But what is it and how can it help?

While it is great that a business would be certified to Cyber Essentials, what about the bigger security picture? You could be protecting the business from cyber-attacks, but are you leaving the front door open to other threats? And are you missing ones that could be right under your nose?

It’s a bit like the scene in the first Mission Impossible movie, where Tom Cruise lowers himself into the room to access the computer – we’re not saying everyone would go to these extremes, but the idea is there!

The ISO 27001 Information Security Management Standard is an internationally recognised standard that companies worldwide are certified to. ISO, the International Organisation for Standardisation, create standardised business practices that help organisations demonstrate their commitment to their customers.

ISO 27001 incorporates all the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Scheme and much, much more. The standard takes a look at information security as a whole; encompassing people, processes and technologies, forming a complete outlook to securing your confidential information.

Read more

FINALISTS FOR FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

ISO Quality Services is proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Employer of the Year Category of the Family Business Awards 2016!

As winners of the award last year, being recognised for this again in 2016 really encompasses everything the company believes in.

ISO Quality Services Ltd was started in 2000 by Peter Appleton after having worked in the industry previously. Following on from this, his daughter Jennifer Appleton joined the business 6 years ago and has taken over the day to day operations.

The company has established a close, well-knit team that regularly comment about the work team being like a ‘extended family’. This family ethos is something that is very important to ISO Quality Services and its directors.

Jennifer strives on developing people; this is done through our award winning apprenticeship scheme and successful graduate scheme. Every employee plays a vital part in the direction of the business and ensuring it runs smoothly day-to-day.

Each employee has time throughout their day to day work to focus on their personal development, whether this is internally or externally.

Jennifer expressed her delight for being nominated for this award ‘Being shortlisted for the second year running in this category is fantastic. We are very proud of the team and I am personally very happy that our work around developing our people is being recognised at such a high level’.

The winner will be announced at a prestigious event on the 17^th November in Birmingham.

We would like to wish all of the finalists from this and all the other categories huge congratulations and we wish you all the luck for the finals!

Meet Our Team

While it is our job to find out lots about you and your business requirements, we thought that you might like to get to know us a little bit better. Each month we will introduce you to a member of our team, giving you opportunity to learn more about each of us!

Get to know Aleks!

This month you can find out all about Aleks. 

What is your role in the office? 

I have recently joined the Client Services Department at ISO Quality Services Ltd. My key responsibilities include assisting in compilations and verifying of Audit Reports, Manuals, Certificates and Addendum Contracts. Additionally, I am developing new strategies for increasing customer satisfaction and also for expanding our existing client base.

What is your favourite thing about working at ISO Quality Services? 

Despite the fact that I have been at ISO Quality Services Ltd for only a few months, I can confidently say that my favourite aspect of being part of this family-run business is that my role has provided me with the amazing opportunity to extend my knowledge, not only in regards to ISO Standardisation and Business Consultancy, but also for my in depth understanding of business operations, values and growth. I have also be given the chance to be involved in a variety of tasks and projects, which not only benefit the organisation, but also advance my personal development.

What animal best represents you and why?

I would like to believe that would be a wise and cuddly koala, which enjoys its 20hour sleep a day!

Tell us something in the office nobody knows about you

I have completed professional Barista and Latte Art Training.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I am very passionate about the work here, therefore, five years from now I would like to see myself developed within ISO Quality Services Ltd and taking on new challenges over time.

What’s your greatest achievement to date and how has it shaped you?

My greatest achievement until now would be achieving my BSc (Hons) degree in Business Psychology in my second language. This was an amazing experience, which has developed my personality and also shown my determination to succeed.

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(To qualify for this you must refer a successful lead).

To offer your referrals please contact – info@isoqsltd.com or call 01905 670303