60 Seconds with Simon Newell

What is your role?

My role within NQA is a Business Development Manager - working as an integral part of the UK Commercial Team, this southern field-based role focuses on meeting with customers both new and existing. My aim is to deliver and develop excellent customer relationships by understanding each organization’s individual business needs for certification.

This can range from advice and guidance on certification to training and the added value that NQA will bring to the partnership.

Most memorable moment at work?

My most memorable moment so far is attending a final meeting with NQA's Commercial Director Laura Fletcher at a large supermarket brand to discuss certification for ISO 50001, pitching against a well-known competitor and winning the business.

It was a great feeling to know that I have a career with an organization and am part of a team that can be trusted and utilized by such a big name company to deliver high quality certification as an accredited certification body.

Favourite things about working for NQA?

This is an easy one! One of my favorite things about being part of NQA is definitely the team of people around me and the support provided by all my colleagues, from small every day queries to larger, more time consuming product training, nothing seems too much trouble. 

I would second that with the fact that as a Business Development Manager it is encouraging to know that what I am selling can and is being delivered to the high level expected from our existing clients and will be delivered to future prospects. A current NPS level of 75 is extremely high and shows that our clients feel valued.

I have faith in the fact that I am selling a brilliant service that provides our current clients with a number of benefits.

Top tip for people looking at certification?

It's really important that when comparing certification bodies you look for an accredited body (UKAS or ANAB for example) first and foremost. For more information on why it's so important to choose an accredited certification body and some useful things to look out for read our blog - click here. 

Secondly look for the experience held within the certification body, especially the auditors, to give you the comfort you need as a business to know you are working with the right partner.

NQA boast some fantastic auditors who hold a huge amount of knowledge in their specialist sectors, industries and standards so you know you'll receive an assessor that have plenty of experience suited to you.

How might you be able to help our readers?

My role is to work with new and existing clients – no matter which you are, it is very important to me that I understand your business fully and give you the correct information to take away and evaluate our offerings and service.

If you are an existing client thinking about training and improving your internal team to understand what certification is and how it works within the organization, I can help you look at the options available to you.

Maybe you are with a certification body that has not given you quite the level of service you expected and want a change with in the business; I can help and advise you on this.

And finally if you are just looking to go to market and explore what options are out there, then I can meet with and inform you of who we are as a business, the experience we have as an accredited body, how we work successfully with our clients and what we can do to ensure your certification is the best it can be.