60 Seconds with Kieron Rafferty

What is your role?

I’m Kieron Rafferty, Head of Audit Resources at NQA, previously BM TRADA. I’ve been with the wider business for over 17 years. I have been in this role for several years and prior to this was Technical Manager and also an Auditor for over 10 years for several standards including Quality (ISO 9001). Environmental (ISO14001), Health and Safety (ISO45001) and Sustainability Schemes covering FSC and PEFC.

Presently, alongside still auditing, I will also undertake monitoring and witnessing of current staff as well as new and trainee auditors and continue to work with our Technical Teams in Management Systems and Sustainability to ensure that the auditors competency requirements are maintained. 

Most memorable moment at work

Ive been lucky in that there are several that stand out. 

Being lucky enough that the business granted me full access to global data and interviewing staff across all global sites that allowed me to build my MSc dissertation and supporting me through this – yes I did decide that it was a great idea to do this just before COVID kicked in so was memorable. The fact I completed this on my birthday several years ago and to be told I had passed, this made it even more memorable.

Seeing the companies manufacture products that we have seen through the raw materials (sometimes back to forests) and the production processes at site then making it to the shops and being in the hands of friends and family is very pleasing. This includes printed literature covering daily national newspapers printed at multiple sites across the UK, as well as diaries and publications used by nearly everyone due to their branding through to furniture manufacture from inputs in Europe and the Far East in a number of major retailers and stores.

Lastly the people that I have met through the organisations that I have audited; they have given me so many thoughts and ideas and ways to look at different scenarios as well as identifying literature and publications to broaden my horizons. One client also told me that if you’re to have a meeting to start at 9.00am, you turn up early and start on-time. So apologies to all of my colleagues and anyone joining my meetings if they’ve already started when you arrive!

Favourite things about working for NQA

Whilst very new to the NQA part of the business, there has been a willingness to ensure that the migration has been undertaken addressing all staff. With there being business changes on the horizon with new IT equipment, this has been pleasing to see that the IT infrastructure is there to allow speed and ease of issues to be raised, especially for field-based staff where time is a challenge.

The team that I have worked with are all within the wider business and this has allowed an element of continuity whilst we learn new approaches and has ensured a sense of alignment that whilst there are new faces there, there are also a number of the staff we have created positive working relationships with are also along for this next stage in the journey.

What do you believe sets NQA apart from other certification bodies?

I believe the depth of the knowledge of the auditors and support staff are differentiators and whilst a Global Brand, there is still the local element allowing each company and individual to be treated that way – not just a number but retain the personal element to this at all stages. The breadth of standards able to be audited also allows NQA to be the CB of choice for all client demands.

What is your top tip for people wanting to achieve certfication?

Understand the reasons that you are embarking on this journey. If it is to satisfy wider client needs and expectations, ensure this is built into your system and that you are undertaking the activities and procedures in a systematic manner. Document everything that you do, and any gaps can then be addressed but ensure your system accurately reflects this and not trying to shoe-horn your current processes into procedures that do not align with this. 

There have been times that the system I have been presented with has actually been written for another company! This does happen and several “off the shelf” systems bear no resemblance to the company I am to audit or has another organisations name throughout. This leads to queries, issues and ultimately non-conformances as you progress through the stages of certification.