August 13, 2026
Leading Through Change: The Five Questions Every Managing Director Should Be Asking
When many people think about ISO standards, they often associate them with quality managers, auditors, and compliance teams.
But that perception is changing.
As ISO standards continue to evolve, there is increasing emphasis on leadership involvement, accountability and strategic decision-making. As we’ve seen with the recently released ISO 14001:2026 and the upcoming ISO 9001:2026, senior leaders are expected to play a more active role in their company’s ISO management systems.
This isn’t simply about compliance. It’s about ensuring management systems deliver real value to the business.
For directors and leadership teams, that raises an important question: are you asking the right questions about your management system?
To help answer that question, we’re hosting a free webinar on Thursday 24th September at 10am, where ISO QSL Managing Director Jennifer Appleton and Perry Simpson, ISO Lead Auditor, will explore the five key questions every senior leadership team should be asking.
Register today to secure your free place and gain practical insight into what today’s evolving ISO standards mean for your business.
Why leadership involvement matters
Modern ISO standards are designed to support business success, not just compliance.
Whether your organisation is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001 or another management system standard, leadership commitment is a fundamental requirement.
More importantly, it’s often one of the factors that separates organisations that simply maintain certification from those that gain real business benefits from it.
When leadership teams are actively engaged, management systems become valuable tools for:
- Managing business risks
- Improving operational performance
- Supporting strategic objectives
- Driving continual improvement
- Strengthening organisational resilience
Yet many organisations still struggle to define what meaningful leadership involvement actually looks like in practice.
That’s exactly what this webinar will address.
The five questions we'll explore
Rather than focusing on clauses and technical terminology, Jennifer and Perry will take a practical, boardroom-style approach to the discussion.
Together, they’ll explore the questions that matter most to today’s business leaders.
Are our management systems connected to our business strategy?
Your management system should support your organisation’s objectives, not operate as a separate compliance exercise.
We’ll explore how business objectives and management system objectives can work together to support growth, efficiency and long-term success.
Do we understand the risks and opportunities that could affect performance?
Risk-based thinking sits at the heart of management systems.
From operational challenges and changing customer expectations to environmental impacts and business growth opportunities, we’ll discuss why leaders need visibility of the factors that influence business performance.
Can we demonstrate meaningful leadership involvement?
One of the most common questions organisations ask is: “how involved should leadership actually be?”
We’ll discuss what good leadership involvement looks like in practice and why effective leadership is about active engagement, not memorising clause numbers.
Are we managing change properly?
Whether you’re introducing new equipment, changing suppliers, expanding into new locations or launching new services, change creates both opportunities and risks.
We’ll explore how organisations can manage change effectively while maintaining control and supporting continual improvement.
Are we using ISO to strengthen performance, resilience and commercial advantage?
Management systems should help organisations do more than pass audits.
We’ll discuss how businesses can use ISO to:
- Improve efficiency
- Reduce waste and costs
- Build customer confidence
- Strengthen tender opportunities
- Enhance reputation
- Improve long-term resilience
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure your management system actively supports the way your business is led.
By the end of the webinar, you’ll have a clearer understanding of leadership responsibilities, emerging expectations and the actions you can take to prepare with confidence.
Join our webinar
Leading Through Change: The Five Questions Every Managing Director Should Be Asking
Thursday 24th September 2026
10:00 am
Online via Zoom
Hosted by:
Jennifer Appleton
Managing Director
Perry Simpson
ISO Lead Auditor
Who should attend
This webinar has been designed specifically for business leaders and no technical ISO knowledge is required.
Jennifer will translate the subject into practical business language, while Perry will provide insight into what auditors and certification bodies are really looking for.
The result will be an engaging discussion focused on leadership, performance and business improvement, rather than technical ISO training.
Whether you’ve been certified for years or are simply interested in understanding how management systems can support your organisation, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of leadership responsibilities, emerging expectations and the actions you can take to prepare with confidence.
Reserve your place
Join Jennifer Appleton and Perry Simpson on 24th September at 10 am for a practical discussion on leadership, risk, performance and resilience. Secure your free place and gain valuable insight into what today’s evolving ISO standards mean for your organisation.