PCG celebrates success of first ISO9001 scheme for freelancers

Representatives from business organisations and standards bodies gathered at the Institute of Directors on Monday for the official launch of the PCG Quality Systems scheme and a celebration of its first successes. The luncheon was hosted by the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) in association with its partners, BVQi, the independent certification body of Bureau Veritas, Qualsys and BQI Consulting.

Heralded as ìthe single most important development in the UK certification landscapeî when it was announced last year, PCG (QS) is the first scheme of its kind designed to help small consulting businesses attain ISO9001:2000 certification, giving them bidding opportunities in markets that would otherwise be closed to them.

To date, four businesses have successfully achieved this important quality standard; a further two have passed their certification audits and PCG is training another 80 consulting businesses. PCGís latest annual membership survey also indicates a high level of freelancers interested and around 17 per cent of respondents likely to participate in the scheme.

Louise Fowler, head of marketing at Barclays Small Business Service presented certificates to the directors of the four successful businesses, and guests from the CBI, the FPB, BCS, the IEE, UKAS and other organisations heard them explain why they had chosen to participate in the scheme, and the benefits they expected.

Stuart Mealingís company, Transsol, which specialises in engineering, safety and risk management in the railway environment and has clients in the UK and Europe, was the first member business to receive certification. ìThe real value of PCG (QS) is that it enables small companies like us to compete with the larger consultancies,î he said. ìWe have just been awarded a contract with Network Rail to undertake a safety assessment of infrastructure equipment as part of the West Coast Route Modernisation project. For us as a small company, this is particularly exciting, as it means that we are now an approved supplier to Network Rail.î

Bill Butland, managing director of Emmons Engineering, said, ìI felt that ISO9001 certification would improve the companyís image by demonstrating that we work within an internationally recognised quality management system, and that it would give us a marketing advantage when seeking work through agencies.î

Norbite provides freelance software design and development services to corporate and central government clients, including IBM and Defra. Director Grant Wickman said, ìOur internal processes have improved enormously, and by committing to a process of continual improvement, I am determined to help ensure that the business keeps moving forward.î

Ian Cumberís company, KIC Computing, offers a range of information technology services. One of its clients is a large research company with a major presence in the defence market. ìWhilst there is no obligation right now for us to have IS09001 certification in order to do business with them,î he said, ìwe believe that it will be only a matter of time before that becomes a mandatory requirement. We felt that it was important to seize the initiative and achieve the certification before reaching this point.î

Guest speaker Olivier Guize, chief executive of Bureau Veritas UK and Ireland, said, ìWe are delighted to be working with PCG and its partners to deliver this new system of certification for the freelance sector, which establishes an even playing field in terms of qualtiy business processes. BVQi has always been in the forefront of developing new management system standards to adapt to the growing diversity of the business landscape and this is clearly demonstrated by our commitment to PCG (QS). We congratulate all those who are here with us today, celebrating their certification.î

Event host and PCG chairman Simon Juden said, ìAs we have heard from the newly certificated businesses today, PCG (QS) fulfils a clear need in the marketplace for an ISO9001 certification scheme suited to small consulting businesses. Many of the participants had evaluated other schemes and rejected them on the grounds of cost or because they were simply not relevant for their types of business. I am delighted with the success already achieved and certain that this scheme will have a positive impact on many freelance consulting businesses.î