Assent Risk Management is a progressive Risk and Resilience Consultancy built for the digital age. We pride ourselves on Championing International Standards and in this podcast we will be talking to experts from the consultancy industry, discussing standards, ISO’s, consulting and everything in between, to bring you industry knowledge and updates.
Inside the IDEA Standard: A New Framework for Workplace Inclusion with Kathy Clements
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/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement
23 Sept 2026
ISO 9001:2026: What You Need to Know About the New Standard
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 SGS8 October 2026 | 1:00pmhttps://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/assentukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWw6ny-YyfkxdGm7ig4yFoQInstagram: @assentriskmanagement
9 Sept 2026
ISO 27001 vs SOC 2: What’s the Difference? with Sam Mather and Rob Hall | Part 2
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: desk@assent1.com
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/
Who has been a guest on Exploring Standards with Assent
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Rob Hall
Danny Lee
Juliana Wood
Kathy Clements
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YouTube views
15,562
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
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Quality
30
Social presence
91
YouTube
72
Engagement
60
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