In Your Shoes - Clark Boles

Monday

Today, I’m at Tayside Diesel Engineering in Dundee, who are specialists in all types of MTU Engines. They have been a client for five years and my role is to provide external QHSE consultancy and to manage their ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

I arrived onsite at 08:15, signed in, and then got set up in the Conference Room. It’s a busy day ahead as the business has a two-day remote Achilles Re-certification Audit which was scheduled to kick off at 09:15. The morning went well as the preparation work that was in place helped us get through the questions quicker than the assessor had planned.

Lunch came and went too quick before the afternoon session commenced again. Several hours later the assessor stopped for the day with no findings raised.

Before leaving, I had a catch-up with Eric Kydd, Managing Director.

Finishing off the day with an early evening call to a local company to discuss ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and PAS 2060 Certification.

Tuesday

I was back at Tayside Diesel Engineering in Dundee for day two of the remote Achilles Re-certification Audit. Both Eric and I were ready for the Teams meeting at 09:15.

Today the assessor went over risk assessments, training, suppliers, and the sales process. Eric provided a detailed job pack which seemed to tick all the right boxes with the assessor. By about 14:00 the assessor had everything they needed to complete the report. Successful Achilles Re-Certification with no findings raised.

I took advantage of the early finish and went home to do some exercise in the home gym. Lockdown was difficult for most of us, and as I had a spare room downstairs it was turned into a home gym which provided a much-needed outlet during that time.

Wednesday

Early start today as I’m at Direct Shine in Perth, who are a commercial and residential window cleaning business. I provide external QHSE consultancy and manage both their ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Integrated Management System.

Their first ISO Surveillance Audit is scheduled for today. All the internal audits, management review minutes and other supplementary information for today were all approved and signed off by senior management.

Kevin Gunn the Lead Assessor with NQA arrives at 09:00, signed in, and once set up an introductory meeting with all stakeholders took place. The planned site visit in the morning went well and with great engagement from all the team the business had a successful Surveillance Audit. No quality or environmental findings were raised.

I finish my working day preparing and packing for the next 2 days on the road.

Thursday

Yet another early start, and after an hour in the gym I’m ready to head to Aberdeen. I had a business meeting scheduled for 09:00 with a new client in Aberdeen which went really well. They were unhappy with their current service provision and a long-standing customer recommended our consultancy services to them.

Next on the agenda was a Teams Meeting scheduled for 11:00am with the Senior Management of Aqualution Systems based in Duns to discuss the role of Quality Manager and to manage their ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 Business Management System.

I then arrived at Kenway Tyres at 12:30pm to get ready for the ISO 9001 Surveillance Audit with Dave Robb from NQA at the Virginia Street Depot. I managed to get some lunch before Dave Robb arrived at 13:00pm. The audit went well with no findings being raised.

Later that afternoon an email dropped into my inbox from a new prospective customer based in Aberdeen looking for a consultant to manage their ISO 9001 Quality Management System. I followed up the enquiry which led to a positive outcome. Their previous consultant had recommended our services.

After a busy day I made my way to my usual Bed & Breakfast, unpacked, then went for a walk to get in my 10,000 steps.

Friday

Not far to travel this morning in Aberdeen. Today I’m at the Head Office of Kenway Tyres to host Dave Robb from NQA for the ISO 9001 Surveillance Audit.

I arrived on site at 08:15am, signed in and then had a catch-up with Lorna Forbes their Office Manager. Dave Robb arrived at 09:00. All the relevant documentation for the ISO 9001 Surveillance Audit had been emailed to Dave Robb prior to the visit.

The day revolves around meetings with senior management and various Kenway personnel to test the effectiveness of their ISO 9001 Quality Management System. The audit went well with no findings being raised.

Late afternoon, I received an email to confirm that our customer Perth City Electric had successfully gain their SafeContractor Accreditation.

Drive back home to spend some quality time with the wife – It’s been a great week