For K2’s offices in France and the UK, November was audit month.
Our Paris office emerged with their inaugural certifications for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Our Guildford office achieved recertification for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001, as well as for SOC II. In addition, the office passed an extremely rigorous ISO 27001 transition audit.
Paris
The Results:
- No major nonconformities
- No minor nonconformities
- No areas identified for improvement
The auditors praised both the strength of our systems and the passion of our people – they remarked that if we could bottle the motivation that our people have, then we would make a fortune! They stated that the love each employee has for what they do is undeniable, demonstrated by their eagerness to share as much as they could about their role and their experiences. For the auditors, it was absolutely clear that K2 is a Great Place To Work®.
Guildford
The Results:
- No major nonconformities
- No minor nonconformities
- No areas identified for improvement
The auditor described our systems and processes as “truly world class”, adding that they allow for flexibility, which he rarely sees in similar organisations. We have always said that our people are our greatest asset, a statement with which the auditor wholeheartedly agreed: “the strongest feature of K2 is its people. They are motivated and care deeply about their jobs and the business. I have never come across anyone with a bad attitude…Here at K2, people aren’t just numbers at desks; they’re part of a family”.
Our ISO 27001 transition audit requires a special mention. The new standard has 11 additional controls (114 in total!): it required two days of transition and a three-day audit. After five days of working through our systems and processes with a fine toothcomb and interviewing multiple individuals ranging from new starters to those at executive leadership level, the auditor – who has 27 years of experience – announced that K2 has the best systems of any company that he audits. He commented that “for K2, ISO 27001 is far more than just a certificate on a wall. It’s a way of life. Your processes are embedded, understood and lived across the organisation. Every time I requested evidence, it was provided seamlessly, and every interaction I had demonstrated your commitment to policies that are as robust as they are practical”.
With our Paris office having completed its inaugural audits, K2 is now certified globally for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, a target set by the Board as part of Kinetic, K2’s 5-year strategic business plan. In addition, we have now become so efficient at completing audits that going forward, we will be conducting a number of audits remotely, reducing our travel requirements in line with our ambitious sustainability programme. We are incredibly proud of the progress that we’ve made and the position that we now hold. Linda Rafferty, Global Head of Compliance & ESG declares that “this milestone is a testament to our hard work, passion and dedication. It confirms our place amongst the world’s elite organisations – we are now officially operating at a level that even the toughest auditors describe as unparalleled”.
