09:00
Event programme
Thursday 19 June, London
This year's inspiring event programme explores, debates and discusses the theme: Dreamers and Disruptors – driving innovative, sustainable, competitive quality.
Thursday 19
- Broadgate Forum
- London Wall Hub
- Bishopsgate Hub
Bishopsgate Hub
- 09:00
- 09:30
- 10:00
- 10:30
- 11:00
- 11:30
- 12:00
- 12:30
- 13:00
- 13:30
- 14:00
- 14:30
- 15:00
- 15:30
- 16:00
- 16:30
- 17:00
- 17:30
- 18:00
09:30
Welcome and scene setting 09:30–09:45
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Vince Desmond
CEO
CQI
Vince’s early career was in education and educational management, working as director of studies at International House (IH) in the UK, Egypt and the Czech Republic. During this time he acted as an assessor in the International House global network and developed the quality management modules of the IH Diploma in Educational Management Skills, in conjunction with Aston University. During a period of MBA study in 2000, Vincent joined IRCA, where he ran the IRCA training certification business. This involved working with the training community to update and improve training provision for management systems auditors globally. After taking the role of deputy director of IRCA in 2003, he expanded the portfolio of IRCA certification products, and established a subsidiary in Japan and regional representatives in South East Asia. He also led on IRCA’s accreditation to ISO 17024. He became CEO of the CQI in 2015 and represents the CQI at a number of industry groups.
09:45
Keynote: Professor Michael Mainelli 09:45–10:05
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Michael Mainelli
President
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
Professor Michael Mainelli is a renowned economist and business leader. Michael served as Lord Mayor of London from 2023-24 and as an international ambassador for the UK’s professional & financial services sector. In 1994, he co-founded Z/Yen, a leading commercial think tank known for its work in promoting innovation and green finance via its Global Financial Centres, Smart Centres, and Global Green Finance indices. Michael has advised governments worldwide and held senior roles at BDO Binder Hamlyn, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, and the UK Ministry of Defence. He is President of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). He is an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple and a non-executive director at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. A dedicated civic leader, Michael serves as Alderman for Broad Street Ward and is also an award-winning author. His charitable work focuses on sustainability, education, and social care.
10:05
AI in Quality: Promises and Practicalities 10:05–10:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
AI promises a step change in the quality of products and services and how that is achieved. In recent years, this promise has started to be realised. This session surfaces real life applications but also surfaces the practical challenges in implementing AI for managing and improving quality.
Graham Upton
Technology & Innovation Director and Chief Architect Intelligent Industry
Capgemini
Graham is an influential and respected senior technology and innovation leader and Chief Architect with proven capability in identifying, developing and implementing state of the art solutions at a strategic (CXO) level within complex, multinational organisations. He is skilled at leading cross-functional teams across multiple sectors including Life Sciences, Aerospace, Energy & Utilities and Rail. Graham has an extensive knowledge in engineering, manufacturing operations, Industry 4.0, digital advances with lean and agile methodologies, and has delivered key change projects whilst leading technological advances in capability acquisition and continuous improvement.
10:05
Rethinking Audit: Compliance to Performance 10:05–10:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Sponsored by:
Powered by automation and analytics, auditors have more tools than ever at their disposal. This session reimagines auditing: how we do it, why we do it and the strategic value it offers.
Ian Mitchell
Group CEO
DeepFathom
Ian Mitchell is Co-Founder and CEO of DeepFathom, a technology company reimagining how organizations understand and improve performance through next generation auditing techniques. With over 25 years’ experience in system thinking, audit, and service innovation, and business process outsourcing Ian has worked with global brands to design quality, risk, and compliance systems that go beyond box-ticking. At DeepFathom, he leads the development of digital tools that integrate behavioral science and data analytics to transform audit from a backward-looking compliance activity into a forward-focused performance driver. Ian explores the future of quality in the age of AI, ESG, and agile organizations. At Quality Live, he will be sharing insights on “Rethinking Audit: Compliance to Performance,” challenging traditional audit mindsets and offering a vision for how quality professionals can create greater value in complex, fast-changing environments.
10:05
Rethinking Quality: Everything Data 10:05–10:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Sponsored by:
Quality management has evolved to meet the changing nature of organisations and technology. This session brings that evolution up to date with industry 4.0 technologies and a new 'everything data’ approach to managing and improving quality.
John Oakland
Chairman
Oakland Group
Professor Oakland is Chair of The Oakland Group and Head of its Research and Education Division, The Oakland Institute. For over 40 years he has taught and consulted in all aspects of quality management to thousands of organisations. His research work on the quality management requirements of industry and commerce has been widely acknowledged and published in books, papers, articles and reports. John is a Fellow of the CQI and was the first winner of the CQI Outstanding Contribution to Quality Management Practice in 2017. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, Honorary Life Fellow of the Research Quality Association and Member of the American Society for Quality.
10:40
Break 10:40–11:00
11:05
Sustainable Supply Chains: Beyond the Final Product 11:05–11:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Balancing product quality with sustainability has never been more critical. Reducing waste while preserving consumer appeal is essential, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations must be integrated across the entire supply chain—not just in the final product. This session takes insights from the fashion industry, and offers practical tools that can be applied across any supply chain.
Pauline Bremner
Associate Professor
Dr Pauline Bremner, Associate Professor, lectures in Retail and Fashion Management at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. As part of her remit, she leads institutional projects on educational research and has presented and published on educational topics at many conferences. One of her key teaching and research areas is the embedding of the Sustainable Development Goals in her omnichannel module. This module draws on supply chain practices and environmental sustainability requirements while utilising innovative teaching practices to engage students.
11:05
Managing the Quality of AI: Navigating the Global Regulatory and Standards Landscape 11:05–11:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
Learn about evolving international AI standards landscape, how AI standards aim to help, new skills required to assess AI, and the different approaches to AI quality globally.
Adam Smith
Chair
Artificial Intelligence Quality Infrastructure (AIQI) Consortium
Adam Leon Smith is Deputy Chair of the UK’s national AI standards committee. In ISO/IEC SC42 he is Convenor of JWG 2 (Testing of AI systems). He is active in CEN-CENELEC JTC21, where he is Project Leader for two projects - the Quality Management System for EU AI Act Regulatory Purposes, and AI System Logging. He is Chair of the BCS Fellows Technical Advisory group, and Chair of the AIQI Consortium, a global initiative to promote the use of the quality infrastructure for AI. In 2024, the University of Bath awarded Adam an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work
Tim McGarr
AI Market Development Lead (Regulatory Services)
BSI
Tim McGarr is the AI Market Development Lead in BSI responsible for investigating new AI markets and delivering new AI assessment services. Prior to this Tim was the Sector Lead for BSI with responsibility for the direction and development of key digital standards areas, including Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Tim has been working at BSI since 2009. Before joining BSI, Tim spent five years working in the strategy department for legal publisher LexisNexis. Tim has also worked as a management consultant and an internal consultant. Tim has an MBA from HEC in Paris, France. Tim will facilitate this session.
11:05
Going Beyond: Where Do Paradigm Shifts Lead Quality Management? 11:05–11:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Known as the European powerhouse for quality and the provenance of the Industry 4.0 concept, Germany faces the same hard industrial, geopolitical and societal challenges as many economies. This session provides the opportunity to explore beyond the entrenched QM filter bubble, following general and QM-specific paradigm changes towards reformative fields of action.
Benedikt Sommerhoff
Head of Quality & Innovation
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität
Benedikt Sommerhoff is Head of Quality & Innovation at DGQ – the German Quality Association. Over the past 25 years, he has held various expert and leadership roles within the organization. He analyses current challenges and future trends, driving initiatives to reimagine quality management for an increasingly digitalised economy. A prolific author, he publishes widely on all aspects of quality. Since summer 2024, he also serves as editor of QZ – Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit, Germany’s leading quality management magazine. Benedikt studied Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Quality Management at RWTH Aachen University and earned his doctorate from the University of Wuppertal. He began his professional career as a Quality Engineer in the automotive supply industry.
11:40
Rethinking Public Sector Transformation 11:40–12:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Sponsored by:
Success in the public sector hinges on embracing at pace simplification, agility, innovation, continuous learning, and employee empowerment. This session shines the spotlight on how the UK MOD Defence Equipment and Support is using quality management to shift the dial on public service delivery.
Tina Mason
Deputy Director - Head of Oversight (Process, Risk and Assurance)
Defence Equipment & Support
Tina started her career in audit and assurance, later accumulating significant leadership and transformation expertise within regulated industries. Her experience spans operational excellence, risk and assurance and finance across both private and, more recently, public sectors. Holding credentials as a Chartered Quality Professional, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Tina's firm grounding has been instrumental in her achievements and greatly shapes her approach to enhancing organisational performance. Notable accomplishments include designing and implementing new operating models, spearheading cultural change and establishing and embedding continuous improvement frameworks. Presently, as the Head of Policy and Oversight at Defence Equipment and Support, Tina is leading on the development and implementation of a management operating system to underpin delivery of operational excellence within the organisation.
11:40
Rethinking Risk: Unlocking Long Term Value 11:40–12:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Sponsored by:
Helping organisations understand and mitigate quality risk has always been core to quality management. In the session the panel will examine how organisations and quality practitioners should be approaching risk in the modern context, consider risk blind spots and look at the balance between appetite and innovation.
Nina Abbassi
Director
Abbassi Ltd
Nina Abbassi; B.Sc. Hons, CQP, FCQI, IRCA Certified Principal Auditor; founder and Director of Abbassi Ltd since 1993; is a Consultant, Trainer and Auditor. She brings over 3 decades of innovative and result-driven expertise in business quality, performance improvement, social responsibility, and sustainable development across various industries. Her voluntary contributions include serving on the CQI Board of Trustees, judge at the International Quality Awards, expert member on several British and International Standard committees, including the ISO Working Group WG29 for the revision of ISO 9001:2015; representing the CQI.
Tony Blanch
Quality and Business Improvement Director
Network Rail
Tony Blanch is the Quality and Business Improvement Director with Network Rail. He also has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry. He has knowledge of continuous improvement (Lean and EFQM), IT, commercial and management systems, information security, business continuity, collaborative working and asset management. Tony’s current work at Network Rail is about improving how business is managed to give clarity and confidence that they are doing the right things in the best possible way, with the least chance of things going wrong. Tony’s work aims to enable the organisation to operate efficiently and effectively, learn as a business, improve safety, become more agile and responsive, and, in turn, deliver increased value for their passengers.
Stephen Smith
Co-Founder
Practical QARA
Stephen has over 25 years in the medical device industry with positions ranging from QA Auditor to Quality and Regulatory Director. He is now running a Quality and Regulatory consultancy for the medical device industry. Previously he has worked with many devices in large and small organisations from medical disinfectants to surgical robots. Stephen has PhD in Quality Management, MSc in Medical Diagnostics, an MSc and BSc in Geography and Environmental Science and is a Fellow of CQI and on the CQI Content Advisory Panel.
11:40
Quality Professionals as Heroes of AI Digital Transformation 11:40–12:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
AI promises radical improvements in efficiency, adaptability, and competitive edge, but AI also introduces significant risks to organisations and individuals. Can quality professionals be uniquely positioned to use quality competencies? This panel discussion session will use experience and research in AI deployments to identify to challenges and opportunities of AI and debate if and how quality professionals could use quality competencies such as context, leadership, improvement and governance to maximise the impact and reduce the risks of AI?
John-Paul Danaee
Co-Founder
Equitably.AI
John Paul has 30+ years of business experience combining marketing, performance improvement, and automation across sectors, including technology, media, manufacturing, and banking internationally (UK, Australia, US, Europe, etc.), in established and early-stage companies. His Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and technology experience in improving and automating repetitive and cognitive human processes whether through AI, automation or improvement includes more than a decade between equitably.ai, AI First Trading, HSBC and NCR Corporation.
Richard Corderoy
CEO
Oakland
Richard Corderoy is Managing Director of The Oakland Group, a data consultancy that helps organisations find the true value in their data by bringing together analytics, process, and governance. Clients include Network Rail, Yorkshire Water, UKPN, Severn Trent, Channel 4, and Vodafone. Richard is a passionate technologist who is both a sceptic and an optimist with a strong belief in data having the potential to build a better world. Prior to The Oakland Group, Richard began his earlier career with the Royal Navy and Lloyds Banking Group in both operational and commercial roles.
Rashid Adam
COO
Findlay Park
Rashid Adam is Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Findlay Park, a leading London-based investment management firm known for its long-term, high-conviction approach to investing in US equities. Since joining the firm in 2011, Rashid has played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the firm’s operational backbone, ensuring it remains robust, scalable, and aligned with Findlay Park’s commitment to excellence and integrity. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Rashid brings extensive experience in transforming operational infrastructures within the financial services sector. Prior to Findlay Park, he was a Senior Financial Services Consultant, where he oversaw the IT infrastructure for multiple funds in London. From 2001 to 2008, he held a range of leadership roles in support, project management, and consultancy at firms including CYIENT and IBM. His strategic insight and ability to integrate technology with operational efficiency have been instrumental in modernising Findlay Park’s internal capabilities to support its high-performing US equity fund.
Simon Bollans
Partner
Stephenson Harwood
Simon leads Stephenson Harwood’s international technology sector group, and his practice focuses on IT transactions and emerging technologies. He has significant experience advising on complex IT and managed services arrangements, BPO/IT outsourcings, cloud services, and system integration and digital transformation projects. Simon also advises on software licensing, data protection compliance, cybersecurity, and new disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning. Simon has gained industry experience from a number of client secondments, including to the technology contracting team of a Big Four accountancy firms and the group legal team of a global telecommunications provider.
12:40
Lunch 12:40–13:45
13:45
Quality Professionals as a Strategic Force 13:45–14:10
Location:
Broadgate Forum
The world changed radically since the turn of the 20th century requiring organisations to adapt at pace. Meanwhile the world of quality management has, until now, carried on doing what it has always done. This session outlines emerging insight into how the increase in research into quality over the past 10 years is providing the basis for quality management and quality practitioners to come out of shadows and shift from operational necessity to a strategic force for sustainable, competitive performance.
Mike Turner
Head of Research Innovation
Chartered Quality Institute
Mike is an experienced quality and operations professional with 40 years’ experience in business and consulting. After graduating from university, Mike began a career in operations and general management, gaining experience in a number of UK and US-based multinational organisations. During this period, Mike led the implementation of organisational change, Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement, and business process improvement programmes. As an expert in quality and operations management, Mike has run long-term assignments in a range of large global manufacturing, service and public sector organisations. He is a regular speaker on management issues, and an author of e-books, print books, papers and articles. He has a first degree in Engineering and a postgraduate MBA. Mike is also proud to be a Chartered Quality Professional and has served on the Board of Trustees of the CQI. He was a founder member of the Oakland Institute for Business Research and Education and has won an award for his research work.
14:10
Dictating Quality: Navigating Populism in 2025 14:10–14:45
Location:
London Wall Hub
In 2024 half the world’s population voted in elections many voting for what has variously been described as populist, right-wing and authoritarian governments. This session explores the underlying personal, social and commercial forces that have led to this and what these changes this mean for managing and improving quality when management styles revert to command and control, when the cultures clash, when decisions are no longer made based on evidence, and when the struggling rules-based order compromises markets and supply chains.
David Straker
Director
Changing Minds
David Straker, CQP, MCIM, MSc (business), MSc (psychology) is a former quality manager, having worked in commercial and government organisations, both large and small. He has served the CQI over many years, including writing many practical articles for Quality World, working as a trustee and running workshops on psychology and quality. Since retirement he has taken a close interest in ancient and modern history including its cycles of power and politics.
14:10
Crafting Digital Transformation in Healthcare 14:10–14:45
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Netcare Ltd.'s International Quality Award winning CareOn project revolutionised the way healthcare is provided across South Africa, and increasingly the globe. Transitioning from a paper-based medical records system to a digital-first approach for key stakeholders relied on significant technical innovation and fostering new skills across thousands of end users. Hear how Quality 4.0 principles informed this digital transformation project, and what lessons were learned along the way.
Gerhard Weiss
Director: Systems Integration and Projects
Netcare
Gerhard is an award-winning Strategic Portfolio Execution and Quality Assurance Specialist in multiple sectors including Construction, Mining, Finance and Healthcare. With more than 20 Years of experience on Mega Project Initiatives in England, Wales, Scotland and South Africa, he is able to leverage multiple dimensional approaches to transform business ideas into business assets. For the last 7 Years Gerhard has successfully Directed the Group’s Digitisation Strategy Execution inclusive of 118 Projects and the Implementation of CareOn, a world class bespoke Electronic Medical Records System across the entire group of hospitals. CareOn and Netcare won the Digital Innovation award at the CQI International Quality Awards 2024.
14:10
Crafting a No Defects Culture at Shell 14:10–14:45
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Learn how Shell’s vision of 'No Defects', drives continuous improvement across all projects and their supply chain, ingraining a Quality Everyday mindset and a steep reduction in defects eliminating recurrence while driving transparency on performance and reducing costs attributed to poor quality.
Luisa Swanston
Shell
Luisa Swanston is a chemical engineer with 32 years of experience in Shell. Her diverse career spans commercial sales, marketing and business roles in Chemicals, Lubricants, and Contracting and Procurement. Since 2018,Luisa has focused her career on quality management, currently overseeing global vendor approval process and quality standards for supply chain contracts. With an unique perspective from local to global roles, Luisa is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge in quality management to drive industry-wide excellence.
14:45
Break 14:45–15:00
15:05
Positioning the Quality Function: Quality Leaders Panel 15:05–16:05
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Strategic asset or back office? Compliance force or performance enablers? This session examines how quality leaders are positing their function within their organisations’ contexts and strategies to create value, and what skills and capabilities will be crucial for their teams over the coming decade.
Andy Maher
Quality Director
BAE Systems
As Quality Director for the BAE Systems Group, Andy leads a team with a large geographic reach with facilities in over one hundred and fifty locations; providing products and services across Air, Land, Sea, Space and Cyber. Andy is accountable for the development and deployment of the quality strategy, management system and resources across the group and is the accountable person for quality. Andy holds a number of degrees including a Master of Business Administration. He also holds Technical committee leadership positions for the British Standards Institute (BSI) is the Chair of the UK Aviation, Defence and Space Quality Board and has previously held committee leadership positions in the European Aviation Space & Defence Standards organization (ASD-Stan).
Anar Malikov
Founder
TCS
Anar Malikov CQP FCQI, FIIRSM, CMIOSH, PhD Researcher & Industry Leader brings over 30 years of experience in quality and safety. As CEO of TCS, he leads advancements in industrial inspection and competency development. His research focuses on quality management in developing countries, and he is a frequent speaker and thought leader on quality culture and certification standards.
Dan Kent
Vice President, Operational Development
Element Materials Technology
Dan Kent CQP FCQI MIET leads Quality, Operational Excellence and SHE for Element, a global testing, inspection and certification business with over 270 laboratories around the globe. Element supports businesses across a diverse range of Aerospace, Defence, Space, Energy, Built Environment, Connected Technologies and Life Sciences sectors. With over 1000 accreditations and approvals, Element provides certainty to industries where failure in service is not an option. Dan’s expertise and current accountability span Quality, Operational Excellence, & SHE, and he’s led these functions is a diverse range of companies, including Toshiba, NATS, Network Rail and Lloyd’s Register.
Judith Ward
Technical Director Quality Health and Safety
Mott Macdonald
Judith is a Programme Director with over 25 years’ experience in various industry sectors including infrastructure, defence, nuclear, heavy and light rail, highways, transportation, construction, utilities, local authority, and consultancy. She was awarded Quality Professional of the Year 2024. Having sat on several steering groups, Judith has provided industry improvements and advice to central government policy. She also has a proven track record in QHSE management both as stand-alone and integrated disciplines. Judith is an EFQM Master Practitioner and has led assessment teams through the BQF awards. As a registered lead auditor across QHSE disciplines, Judith was also a technical reviewer whilst at LRQA, providing assurance for quality of service provision to UKAS as well as a registered team member for high risk projects for Infrastructure Projects Authority.
15:05
Rethinking Improvement: Navigating a Volatile World 15:05–16:05
Location:
London Wall Hub
Sponsored by:
Operational excellence has been described as a journey. In a fragile and unpredictable world, short term tactics can trump long term strategy. This panel discussion examines how business improvement and operational excellence teams should be navigating the current climate. This sessions is being delivered in partnership with the British Quality Foundation.
Samantha Canham
Senior Continuous Improvement Manager
Curry's Customer Repair Centre
Samantha Canham CMgr FCMI is an operations and CI leader with 7 years’ experience delivering transformation across service, supply chain, and repair environments. A Lean Six Sigma MBB and Chartered Fellow in Management, she recently developed a GPT-powered CI enablement tool to simplify access to improvement methodologies and support frontline decision-making through AI. Samantha has delivered revenue in the millions through targeted initiatives and is known for a fast-paced, delivery-focused approach. Her work is grounded in practical, real-time improvement and designed to equip teams to adapt and perform in volatile, uncertain, and fast-changing operational environments.
Nigel Richardson
Managing Director
Adapt and Exceed Ltd
Nigel is a dedicated and passionate leader and coach, committed to helping others adapt to an increasingly uncertain future that creates risk, but also opportunity. He collaborates with leaders to bridge the gap between current and aspirational performance at individual, team and organisational levels. With a unique blend of psychology and business process expertise, Nigel aids leaders in developing effective innovation and execution built on a foundation of human performance.
Matt Sims
Leadership, Change, Transformation & Operational Excellence
Ever-So-Lean
Matt Sims is a multi-award-winning global leader in leadership, transformation, and operational excellence, with over 25 years’ experience at organisations like Royal Mail and Amazon. Known for his people-first approach, he helps teams unlock their full potential, drive meaningful change, and create high-performance cultures. As the creator of the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Rising Stars™ programme, and host of the acclaimed Ever-So-Lean Podcast, Matt makes complex concepts accessible and actionable for audiences around the world. A dynamic speaker, coach, and author of two influential books, he brings authenticity, energy, and practical insights to every talk, workshop, and coaching session, empowering individuals and organisations to thrive.
16:05
Closing remarks - Rashad Issa 16:05–16:20
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Rashad Issa
Chair
Chartered Quality Institute
Rashad is a Non Executive Director, strategy specialist and an operational Quality, governance & assurance expert. With a proven track record of guiding ambitious businesses to operational excellence, Rashad is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Chartered Quality Insitute (CQI) and a member of the C-suite at the Baltic Exchange, implementing Quality Management principles, spearheading efforts to optimise regulatory compliance in financial benchmarks, fostering process improvements, efficiency and excellence. Rashad has been recognised as a Fellow of the CX Academy for his contributions to elevating the profile of the customer experience industry. He recently concluded a three-year term as an Insights Advisor for the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative with the Project Management Institute. Rashad is a thought leader leveraging his platform as a Podcaster and a Blogger. Founder of the Rashad in Conversation podcast and the How To Quality©️ series, shedding light on the indispensable value that the Quality profession contributes to businesses worldwide, sharing inspiring success stories from global leaders.
16:20
Networking and drinks reception 16:20–17:15
17:15
International Quality Awards 17:15–18:30
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Join us for the presentation of awards to the winners of the International Quality Awards 2025!
- Broadgate Forum
- London Wall Hub
- Bishopsgate Hub
Bishopsgate Hub
- 09:00
- 09:30
- 10:00
- 10:30
- 11:00
- 11:30
- 12:00
- 12:30
- 13:00
- 13:30
- 14:00
- 14:30
- 15:00
- 15:30
- 16:00
- 16:30
- 17:00
- 17:30
- 18:00
09:00
Registration 09:00–09:30
09:30
Welcome and scene setting 09:30–09:45
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Vince Desmond
CEO
CQI
Vince’s early career was in education and educational management, working as director of studies at International House (IH) in the UK, Egypt and the Czech Republic. During this time he acted as an assessor in the International House global network and developed the quality management modules of the IH Diploma in Educational Management Skills, in conjunction with Aston University. During a period of MBA study in 2000, Vincent joined IRCA, where he ran the IRCA training certification business. This involved working with the training community to update and improve training provision for management systems auditors globally. After taking the role of deputy director of IRCA in 2003, he expanded the portfolio of IRCA certification products, and established a subsidiary in Japan and regional representatives in South East Asia. He also led on IRCA’s accreditation to ISO 17024. He became CEO of the CQI in 2015 and represents the CQI at a number of industry groups.
09:45
Keynote: Professor Michael Mainelli 09:45–10:05
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Michael Mainelli
President
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
Professor Michael Mainelli is a renowned economist and business leader. Michael served as Lord Mayor of London from 2023-24 and as an international ambassador for the UK’s professional & financial services sector. In 1994, he co-founded Z/Yen, a leading commercial think tank known for its work in promoting innovation and green finance via its Global Financial Centres, Smart Centres, and Global Green Finance indices. Michael has advised governments worldwide and held senior roles at BDO Binder Hamlyn, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, and the UK Ministry of Defence. He is President of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). He is an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple and a non-executive director at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. A dedicated civic leader, Michael serves as Alderman for Broad Street Ward and is also an award-winning author. His charitable work focuses on sustainability, education, and social care.
10:05
AI in Quality: Promises and Practicalities 10:05–10:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
AI promises a step change in the quality of products and services and how that is achieved. In recent years, this promise has started to be realised. This session surfaces real life applications but also surfaces the practical challenges in implementing AI for managing and improving quality.
Graham Upton
Technology & Innovation Director and Chief Architect Intelligent Industry
Capgemini
Graham is an influential and respected senior technology and innovation leader and Chief Architect with proven capability in identifying, developing and implementing state of the art solutions at a strategic (CXO) level within complex, multinational organisations. He is skilled at leading cross-functional teams across multiple sectors including Life Sciences, Aerospace, Energy & Utilities and Rail. Graham has an extensive knowledge in engineering, manufacturing operations, Industry 4.0, digital advances with lean and agile methodologies, and has delivered key change projects whilst leading technological advances in capability acquisition and continuous improvement.
10:05
Rethinking Audit: Compliance to Performance 10:05–10:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Sponsored by:
Powered by automation and analytics, auditors have more tools than ever at their disposal. This session reimagines auditing: how we do it, why we do it and the strategic value it offers.
Ian Mitchell
Group CEO
DeepFathom
Ian Mitchell is Co-Founder and CEO of DeepFathom, a technology company reimagining how organizations understand and improve performance through next generation auditing techniques. With over 25 years’ experience in system thinking, audit, and service innovation, and business process outsourcing Ian has worked with global brands to design quality, risk, and compliance systems that go beyond box-ticking. At DeepFathom, he leads the development of digital tools that integrate behavioral science and data analytics to transform audit from a backward-looking compliance activity into a forward-focused performance driver. Ian explores the future of quality in the age of AI, ESG, and agile organizations. At Quality Live, he will be sharing insights on “Rethinking Audit: Compliance to Performance,” challenging traditional audit mindsets and offering a vision for how quality professionals can create greater value in complex, fast-changing environments.
10:05
Rethinking Quality: Everything Data 10:05–10:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Sponsored by:
Quality management has evolved to meet the changing nature of organisations and technology. This session brings that evolution up to date with industry 4.0 technologies and a new 'everything data’ approach to managing and improving quality.
John Oakland
Chairman
Oakland Group
Professor Oakland is Chair of The Oakland Group and Head of its Research and Education Division, The Oakland Institute. For over 40 years he has taught and consulted in all aspects of quality management to thousands of organisations. His research work on the quality management requirements of industry and commerce has been widely acknowledged and published in books, papers, articles and reports. John is a Fellow of the CQI and was the first winner of the CQI Outstanding Contribution to Quality Management Practice in 2017. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, Honorary Life Fellow of the Research Quality Association and Member of the American Society for Quality.
10:40
Break 10:40–11:00
11:05
Sustainable Supply Chains: Beyond the Final Product 11:05–11:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Balancing product quality with sustainability has never been more critical. Reducing waste while preserving consumer appeal is essential, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations must be integrated across the entire supply chain—not just in the final product. This session takes insights from the fashion industry, and offers practical tools that can be applied across any supply chain.
Pauline Bremner
Associate Professor
Dr Pauline Bremner, Associate Professor, lectures in Retail and Fashion Management at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. As part of her remit, she leads institutional projects on educational research and has presented and published on educational topics at many conferences. One of her key teaching and research areas is the embedding of the Sustainable Development Goals in her omnichannel module. This module draws on supply chain practices and environmental sustainability requirements while utilising innovative teaching practices to engage students.
11:05
Managing the Quality of AI: Navigating the Global Regulatory and Standards Landscape 11:05–11:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
Learn about evolving international AI standards landscape, how AI standards aim to help, new skills required to assess AI, and the different approaches to AI quality globally.
Adam Smith
Chair
Artificial Intelligence Quality Infrastructure (AIQI) Consortium
Adam Leon Smith is Deputy Chair of the UK’s national AI standards committee. In ISO/IEC SC42 he is Convenor of JWG 2 (Testing of AI systems). He is active in CEN-CENELEC JTC21, where he is Project Leader for two projects - the Quality Management System for EU AI Act Regulatory Purposes, and AI System Logging. He is Chair of the BCS Fellows Technical Advisory group, and Chair of the AIQI Consortium, a global initiative to promote the use of the quality infrastructure for AI. In 2024, the University of Bath awarded Adam an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work
Tim McGarr
AI Market Development Lead (Regulatory Services)
BSI
Tim McGarr is the AI Market Development Lead in BSI responsible for investigating new AI markets and delivering new AI assessment services. Prior to this Tim was the Sector Lead for BSI with responsibility for the direction and development of key digital standards areas, including Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Tim has been working at BSI since 2009. Before joining BSI, Tim spent five years working in the strategy department for legal publisher LexisNexis. Tim has also worked as a management consultant and an internal consultant. Tim has an MBA from HEC in Paris, France. Tim will facilitate this session.
11:05
Going Beyond: Where Do Paradigm Shifts Lead Quality Management? 11:05–11:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Known as the European powerhouse for quality and the provenance of the Industry 4.0 concept, Germany faces the same hard industrial, geopolitical and societal challenges as many economies. This session provides the opportunity to explore beyond the entrenched QM filter bubble, following general and QM-specific paradigm changes towards reformative fields of action.
Benedikt Sommerhoff
Head of Quality & Innovation
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität
Benedikt Sommerhoff is Head of Quality & Innovation at DGQ – the German Quality Association. Over the past 25 years, he has held various expert and leadership roles within the organization. He analyses current challenges and future trends, driving initiatives to reimagine quality management for an increasingly digitalised economy. A prolific author, he publishes widely on all aspects of quality. Since summer 2024, he also serves as editor of QZ – Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit, Germany’s leading quality management magazine. Benedikt studied Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Quality Management at RWTH Aachen University and earned his doctorate from the University of Wuppertal. He began his professional career as a Quality Engineer in the automotive supply industry.
11:40
Rethinking Public Sector Transformation 11:40–12:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Sponsored by:
Success in the public sector hinges on embracing at pace simplification, agility, innovation, continuous learning, and employee empowerment. This session shines the spotlight on how the UK MOD Defence Equipment and Support is using quality management to shift the dial on public service delivery.
Tina Mason
Deputy Director - Head of Oversight (Process, Risk and Assurance)
Defence Equipment & Support
Tina started her career in audit and assurance, later accumulating significant leadership and transformation expertise within regulated industries. Her experience spans operational excellence, risk and assurance and finance across both private and, more recently, public sectors. Holding credentials as a Chartered Quality Professional, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Tina's firm grounding has been instrumental in her achievements and greatly shapes her approach to enhancing organisational performance. Notable accomplishments include designing and implementing new operating models, spearheading cultural change and establishing and embedding continuous improvement frameworks. Presently, as the Head of Policy and Oversight at Defence Equipment and Support, Tina is leading on the development and implementation of a management operating system to underpin delivery of operational excellence within the organisation.
11:40
Rethinking Risk: Unlocking Long Term Value 11:40–12:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Sponsored by:
Helping organisations understand and mitigate quality risk has always been core to quality management. In the session the panel will examine how organisations and quality practitioners should be approaching risk in the modern context, consider risk blind spots and look at the balance between appetite and innovation.
Nina Abbassi
Director
Abbassi Ltd
Nina Abbassi; B.Sc. Hons, CQP, FCQI, IRCA Certified Principal Auditor; founder and Director of Abbassi Ltd since 1993; is a Consultant, Trainer and Auditor. She brings over 3 decades of innovative and result-driven expertise in business quality, performance improvement, social responsibility, and sustainable development across various industries. Her voluntary contributions include serving on the CQI Board of Trustees, judge at the International Quality Awards, expert member on several British and International Standard committees, including the ISO Working Group WG29 for the revision of ISO 9001:2015; representing the CQI.
Tony Blanch
Quality and Business Improvement Director
Network Rail
Tony Blanch is the Quality and Business Improvement Director with Network Rail. He also has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry. He has knowledge of continuous improvement (Lean and EFQM), IT, commercial and management systems, information security, business continuity, collaborative working and asset management. Tony’s current work at Network Rail is about improving how business is managed to give clarity and confidence that they are doing the right things in the best possible way, with the least chance of things going wrong. Tony’s work aims to enable the organisation to operate efficiently and effectively, learn as a business, improve safety, become more agile and responsive, and, in turn, deliver increased value for their passengers.
Stephen Smith
Co-Founder
Practical QARA
Stephen has over 25 years in the medical device industry with positions ranging from QA Auditor to Quality and Regulatory Director. He is now running a Quality and Regulatory consultancy for the medical device industry. Previously he has worked with many devices in large and small organisations from medical disinfectants to surgical robots. Stephen has PhD in Quality Management, MSc in Medical Diagnostics, an MSc and BSc in Geography and Environmental Science and is a Fellow of CQI and on the CQI Content Advisory Panel.
11:40
Quality Professionals as Heroes of AI Digital Transformation 11:40–12:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
AI promises radical improvements in efficiency, adaptability, and competitive edge, but AI also introduces significant risks to organisations and individuals. Can quality professionals be uniquely positioned to use quality competencies? This panel discussion session will use experience and research in AI deployments to identify to challenges and opportunities of AI and debate if and how quality professionals could use quality competencies such as context, leadership, improvement and governance to maximise the impact and reduce the risks of AI?
John-Paul Danaee
Co-Founder
Equitably.AI
John Paul has 30+ years of business experience combining marketing, performance improvement, and automation across sectors, including technology, media, manufacturing, and banking internationally (UK, Australia, US, Europe, etc.), in established and early-stage companies. His Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and technology experience in improving and automating repetitive and cognitive human processes whether through AI, automation or improvement includes more than a decade between equitably.ai, AI First Trading, HSBC and NCR Corporation.
Richard Corderoy
CEO
Oakland
Richard Corderoy is Managing Director of The Oakland Group, a data consultancy that helps organisations find the true value in their data by bringing together analytics, process, and governance. Clients include Network Rail, Yorkshire Water, UKPN, Severn Trent, Channel 4, and Vodafone. Richard is a passionate technologist who is both a sceptic and an optimist with a strong belief in data having the potential to build a better world. Prior to The Oakland Group, Richard began his earlier career with the Royal Navy and Lloyds Banking Group in both operational and commercial roles.
Rashid Adam
COO
Findlay Park
Rashid Adam is Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Findlay Park, a leading London-based investment management firm known for its long-term, high-conviction approach to investing in US equities. Since joining the firm in 2011, Rashid has played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the firm’s operational backbone, ensuring it remains robust, scalable, and aligned with Findlay Park’s commitment to excellence and integrity. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Rashid brings extensive experience in transforming operational infrastructures within the financial services sector. Prior to Findlay Park, he was a Senior Financial Services Consultant, where he oversaw the IT infrastructure for multiple funds in London. From 2001 to 2008, he held a range of leadership roles in support, project management, and consultancy at firms including CYIENT and IBM. His strategic insight and ability to integrate technology with operational efficiency have been instrumental in modernising Findlay Park’s internal capabilities to support its high-performing US equity fund.
Simon Bollans
Partner
Stephenson Harwood
Simon leads Stephenson Harwood’s international technology sector group, and his practice focuses on IT transactions and emerging technologies. He has significant experience advising on complex IT and managed services arrangements, BPO/IT outsourcings, cloud services, and system integration and digital transformation projects. Simon also advises on software licensing, data protection compliance, cybersecurity, and new disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning. Simon has gained industry experience from a number of client secondments, including to the technology contracting team of a Big Four accountancy firms and the group legal team of a global telecommunications provider.
12:40
Lunch 12:40–13:45
13:45
Quality Professionals as a Strategic Force 13:45–14:10
Location:
Broadgate Forum
The world changed radically since the turn of the 20th century requiring organisations to adapt at pace. Meanwhile the world of quality management has, until now, carried on doing what it has always done. This session outlines emerging insight into how the increase in research into quality over the past 10 years is providing the basis for quality management and quality practitioners to come out of shadows and shift from operational necessity to a strategic force for sustainable, competitive performance.
Mike Turner
Head of Research Innovation
Chartered Quality Institute
Mike is an experienced quality and operations professional with 40 years’ experience in business and consulting. After graduating from university, Mike began a career in operations and general management, gaining experience in a number of UK and US-based multinational organisations. During this period, Mike led the implementation of organisational change, Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement, and business process improvement programmes. As an expert in quality and operations management, Mike has run long-term assignments in a range of large global manufacturing, service and public sector organisations. He is a regular speaker on management issues, and an author of e-books, print books, papers and articles. He has a first degree in Engineering and a postgraduate MBA. Mike is also proud to be a Chartered Quality Professional and has served on the Board of Trustees of the CQI. He was a founder member of the Oakland Institute for Business Research and Education and has won an award for his research work.
14:10
Dictating Quality: Navigating Populism in 2025 14:10–14:45
Location:
London Wall Hub
In 2024 half the world’s population voted in elections many voting for what has variously been described as populist, right-wing and authoritarian governments. This session explores the underlying personal, social and commercial forces that have led to this and what these changes this mean for managing and improving quality when management styles revert to command and control, when the cultures clash, when decisions are no longer made based on evidence, and when the struggling rules-based order compromises markets and supply chains.
David Straker
Director
Changing Minds
David Straker, CQP, MCIM, MSc (business), MSc (psychology) is a former quality manager, having worked in commercial and government organisations, both large and small. He has served the CQI over many years, including writing many practical articles for Quality World, working as a trustee and running workshops on psychology and quality. Since retirement he has taken a close interest in ancient and modern history including its cycles of power and politics.
14:10
Crafting Digital Transformation in Healthcare 14:10–14:45
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Netcare Ltd.'s International Quality Award winning CareOn project revolutionised the way healthcare is provided across South Africa, and increasingly the globe. Transitioning from a paper-based medical records system to a digital-first approach for key stakeholders relied on significant technical innovation and fostering new skills across thousands of end users. Hear how Quality 4.0 principles informed this digital transformation project, and what lessons were learned along the way.
Gerhard Weiss
Director: Systems Integration and Projects
Netcare
Gerhard is an award-winning Strategic Portfolio Execution and Quality Assurance Specialist in multiple sectors including Construction, Mining, Finance and Healthcare. With more than 20 Years of experience on Mega Project Initiatives in England, Wales, Scotland and South Africa, he is able to leverage multiple dimensional approaches to transform business ideas into business assets. For the last 7 Years Gerhard has successfully Directed the Group’s Digitisation Strategy Execution inclusive of 118 Projects and the Implementation of CareOn, a world class bespoke Electronic Medical Records System across the entire group of hospitals. CareOn and Netcare won the Digital Innovation award at the CQI International Quality Awards 2024.
14:10
Crafting a No Defects Culture at Shell 14:10–14:45
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Learn how Shell’s vision of 'No Defects', drives continuous improvement across all projects and their supply chain, ingraining a Quality Everyday mindset and a steep reduction in defects eliminating recurrence while driving transparency on performance and reducing costs attributed to poor quality.
Luisa Swanston
Shell
Luisa Swanston is a chemical engineer with 32 years of experience in Shell. Her diverse career spans commercial sales, marketing and business roles in Chemicals, Lubricants, and Contracting and Procurement. Since 2018,Luisa has focused her career on quality management, currently overseeing global vendor approval process and quality standards for supply chain contracts. With an unique perspective from local to global roles, Luisa is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge in quality management to drive industry-wide excellence.
14:45
Break 14:45–15:00
15:05
Positioning the Quality Function: Quality Leaders Panel 15:05–16:05
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Strategic asset or back office? Compliance force or performance enablers? This session examines how quality leaders are positing their function within their organisations’ contexts and strategies to create value, and what skills and capabilities will be crucial for their teams over the coming decade.
Andy Maher
Quality Director
BAE Systems
As Quality Director for the BAE Systems Group, Andy leads a team with a large geographic reach with facilities in over one hundred and fifty locations; providing products and services across Air, Land, Sea, Space and Cyber. Andy is accountable for the development and deployment of the quality strategy, management system and resources across the group and is the accountable person for quality. Andy holds a number of degrees including a Master of Business Administration. He also holds Technical committee leadership positions for the British Standards Institute (BSI) is the Chair of the UK Aviation, Defence and Space Quality Board and has previously held committee leadership positions in the European Aviation Space & Defence Standards organization (ASD-Stan).
Anar Malikov
Founder
TCS
Anar Malikov CQP FCQI, FIIRSM, CMIOSH, PhD Researcher & Industry Leader brings over 30 years of experience in quality and safety. As CEO of TCS, he leads advancements in industrial inspection and competency development. His research focuses on quality management in developing countries, and he is a frequent speaker and thought leader on quality culture and certification standards.
Dan Kent
Vice President, Operational Development
Element Materials Technology
Dan Kent CQP FCQI MIET leads Quality, Operational Excellence and SHE for Element, a global testing, inspection and certification business with over 270 laboratories around the globe. Element supports businesses across a diverse range of Aerospace, Defence, Space, Energy, Built Environment, Connected Technologies and Life Sciences sectors. With over 1000 accreditations and approvals, Element provides certainty to industries where failure in service is not an option. Dan’s expertise and current accountability span Quality, Operational Excellence, & SHE, and he’s led these functions is a diverse range of companies, including Toshiba, NATS, Network Rail and Lloyd’s Register.
Judith Ward
Technical Director Quality Health and Safety
Mott Macdonald
Judith is a Programme Director with over 25 years’ experience in various industry sectors including infrastructure, defence, nuclear, heavy and light rail, highways, transportation, construction, utilities, local authority, and consultancy. She was awarded Quality Professional of the Year 2024. Having sat on several steering groups, Judith has provided industry improvements and advice to central government policy. She also has a proven track record in QHSE management both as stand-alone and integrated disciplines. Judith is an EFQM Master Practitioner and has led assessment teams through the BQF awards. As a registered lead auditor across QHSE disciplines, Judith was also a technical reviewer whilst at LRQA, providing assurance for quality of service provision to UKAS as well as a registered team member for high risk projects for Infrastructure Projects Authority.
15:05
Rethinking Improvement: Navigating a Volatile World 15:05–16:05
Location:
London Wall Hub
Sponsored by:
Operational excellence has been described as a journey. In a fragile and unpredictable world, short term tactics can trump long term strategy. This panel discussion examines how business improvement and operational excellence teams should be navigating the current climate. This sessions is being delivered in partnership with the British Quality Foundation.
Samantha Canham
Senior Continuous Improvement Manager
Curry's Customer Repair Centre
Samantha Canham CMgr FCMI is an operations and CI leader with 7 years’ experience delivering transformation across service, supply chain, and repair environments. A Lean Six Sigma MBB and Chartered Fellow in Management, she recently developed a GPT-powered CI enablement tool to simplify access to improvement methodologies and support frontline decision-making through AI. Samantha has delivered revenue in the millions through targeted initiatives and is known for a fast-paced, delivery-focused approach. Her work is grounded in practical, real-time improvement and designed to equip teams to adapt and perform in volatile, uncertain, and fast-changing operational environments.
Nigel Richardson
Managing Director
Adapt and Exceed Ltd
Nigel is a dedicated and passionate leader and coach, committed to helping others adapt to an increasingly uncertain future that creates risk, but also opportunity. He collaborates with leaders to bridge the gap between current and aspirational performance at individual, team and organisational levels. With a unique blend of psychology and business process expertise, Nigel aids leaders in developing effective innovation and execution built on a foundation of human performance.
Matt Sims
Leadership, Change, Transformation & Operational Excellence
Ever-So-Lean
Matt Sims is a multi-award-winning global leader in leadership, transformation, and operational excellence, with over 25 years’ experience at organisations like Royal Mail and Amazon. Known for his people-first approach, he helps teams unlock their full potential, drive meaningful change, and create high-performance cultures. As the creator of the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Rising Stars™ programme, and host of the acclaimed Ever-So-Lean Podcast, Matt makes complex concepts accessible and actionable for audiences around the world. A dynamic speaker, coach, and author of two influential books, he brings authenticity, energy, and practical insights to every talk, workshop, and coaching session, empowering individuals and organisations to thrive.
16:05
Closing remarks - Rashad Issa 16:05–16:20
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Rashad Issa
Chair
Chartered Quality Institute
Rashad is a Non Executive Director, strategy specialist and an operational Quality, governance & assurance expert. With a proven track record of guiding ambitious businesses to operational excellence, Rashad is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Chartered Quality Insitute (CQI) and a member of the C-suite at the Baltic Exchange, implementing Quality Management principles, spearheading efforts to optimise regulatory compliance in financial benchmarks, fostering process improvements, efficiency and excellence. Rashad has been recognised as a Fellow of the CX Academy for his contributions to elevating the profile of the customer experience industry. He recently concluded a three-year term as an Insights Advisor for the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative with the Project Management Institute. Rashad is a thought leader leveraging his platform as a Podcaster and a Blogger. Founder of the Rashad in Conversation podcast and the How To Quality©️ series, shedding light on the indispensable value that the Quality profession contributes to businesses worldwide, sharing inspiring success stories from global leaders.
16:20
Networking and drinks reception 16:20–17:15
17:15
International Quality Awards 17:15–18:30
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Join us for the presentation of awards to the winners of the International Quality Awards 2025!
- Broadgate Forum
- London Wall Hub
- Bishopsgate Hub
Bishopsgate Hub
- 09:00
- 09:30
- 10:00
- 10:30
- 11:00
- 11:30
- 12:00
- 12:30
- 13:00
- 13:30
- 14:00
- 14:30
- 15:00
- 15:30
- 16:00
- 16:30
- 17:00
- 17:30
- 18:00
09:00
Registration 09:00–09:30
09:30
Welcome and scene setting 09:30–09:45
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Vince Desmond
CEO
CQI
Vince’s early career was in education and educational management, working as director of studies at International House (IH) in the UK, Egypt and the Czech Republic. During this time he acted as an assessor in the International House global network and developed the quality management modules of the IH Diploma in Educational Management Skills, in conjunction with Aston University. During a period of MBA study in 2000, Vincent joined IRCA, where he ran the IRCA training certification business. This involved working with the training community to update and improve training provision for management systems auditors globally. After taking the role of deputy director of IRCA in 2003, he expanded the portfolio of IRCA certification products, and established a subsidiary in Japan and regional representatives in South East Asia. He also led on IRCA’s accreditation to ISO 17024. He became CEO of the CQI in 2015 and represents the CQI at a number of industry groups.
09:45
Keynote: Professor Michael Mainelli 09:45–10:05
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Michael Mainelli
President
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
Professor Michael Mainelli is a renowned economist and business leader. Michael served as Lord Mayor of London from 2023-24 and as an international ambassador for the UK’s professional & financial services sector. In 1994, he co-founded Z/Yen, a leading commercial think tank known for its work in promoting innovation and green finance via its Global Financial Centres, Smart Centres, and Global Green Finance indices. Michael has advised governments worldwide and held senior roles at BDO Binder Hamlyn, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, and the UK Ministry of Defence. He is President of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). He is an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple and a non-executive director at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. A dedicated civic leader, Michael serves as Alderman for Broad Street Ward and is also an award-winning author. His charitable work focuses on sustainability, education, and social care.
10:05
AI in Quality: Promises and Practicalities 10:05–10:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
AI promises a step change in the quality of products and services and how that is achieved. In recent years, this promise has started to be realised. This session surfaces real life applications but also surfaces the practical challenges in implementing AI for managing and improving quality.
Graham Upton
Technology & Innovation Director and Chief Architect Intelligent Industry
Capgemini
Graham is an influential and respected senior technology and innovation leader and Chief Architect with proven capability in identifying, developing and implementing state of the art solutions at a strategic (CXO) level within complex, multinational organisations. He is skilled at leading cross-functional teams across multiple sectors including Life Sciences, Aerospace, Energy & Utilities and Rail. Graham has an extensive knowledge in engineering, manufacturing operations, Industry 4.0, digital advances with lean and agile methodologies, and has delivered key change projects whilst leading technological advances in capability acquisition and continuous improvement.
10:05
Rethinking Audit: Compliance to Performance 10:05–10:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Sponsored by:
Powered by automation and analytics, auditors have more tools than ever at their disposal. This session reimagines auditing: how we do it, why we do it and the strategic value it offers.
Ian Mitchell
Group CEO
DeepFathom
Ian Mitchell is Co-Founder and CEO of DeepFathom, a technology company reimagining how organizations understand and improve performance through next generation auditing techniques. With over 25 years’ experience in system thinking, audit, and service innovation, and business process outsourcing Ian has worked with global brands to design quality, risk, and compliance systems that go beyond box-ticking. At DeepFathom, he leads the development of digital tools that integrate behavioral science and data analytics to transform audit from a backward-looking compliance activity into a forward-focused performance driver. Ian explores the future of quality in the age of AI, ESG, and agile organizations. At Quality Live, he will be sharing insights on “Rethinking Audit: Compliance to Performance,” challenging traditional audit mindsets and offering a vision for how quality professionals can create greater value in complex, fast-changing environments.
10:05
Rethinking Quality: Everything Data 10:05–10:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Sponsored by:
Quality management has evolved to meet the changing nature of organisations and technology. This session brings that evolution up to date with industry 4.0 technologies and a new 'everything data’ approach to managing and improving quality.
John Oakland
Chairman
Oakland Group
Professor Oakland is Chair of The Oakland Group and Head of its Research and Education Division, The Oakland Institute. For over 40 years he has taught and consulted in all aspects of quality management to thousands of organisations. His research work on the quality management requirements of industry and commerce has been widely acknowledged and published in books, papers, articles and reports. John is a Fellow of the CQI and was the first winner of the CQI Outstanding Contribution to Quality Management Practice in 2017. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, Honorary Life Fellow of the Research Quality Association and Member of the American Society for Quality.
10:40
Break 10:40–11:00
11:05
Sustainable Supply Chains: Beyond the Final Product 11:05–11:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Balancing product quality with sustainability has never been more critical. Reducing waste while preserving consumer appeal is essential, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations must be integrated across the entire supply chain—not just in the final product. This session takes insights from the fashion industry, and offers practical tools that can be applied across any supply chain.
Pauline Bremner
Associate Professor
Dr Pauline Bremner, Associate Professor, lectures in Retail and Fashion Management at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. As part of her remit, she leads institutional projects on educational research and has presented and published on educational topics at many conferences. One of her key teaching and research areas is the embedding of the Sustainable Development Goals in her omnichannel module. This module draws on supply chain practices and environmental sustainability requirements while utilising innovative teaching practices to engage students.
11:05
Managing the Quality of AI: Navigating the Global Regulatory and Standards Landscape 11:05–11:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
Learn about evolving international AI standards landscape, how AI standards aim to help, new skills required to assess AI, and the different approaches to AI quality globally.
Adam Smith
Chair
Artificial Intelligence Quality Infrastructure (AIQI) Consortium
Adam Leon Smith is Deputy Chair of the UK’s national AI standards committee. In ISO/IEC SC42 he is Convenor of JWG 2 (Testing of AI systems). He is active in CEN-CENELEC JTC21, where he is Project Leader for two projects - the Quality Management System for EU AI Act Regulatory Purposes, and AI System Logging. He is Chair of the BCS Fellows Technical Advisory group, and Chair of the AIQI Consortium, a global initiative to promote the use of the quality infrastructure for AI. In 2024, the University of Bath awarded Adam an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work
Tim McGarr
AI Market Development Lead (Regulatory Services)
BSI
Tim McGarr is the AI Market Development Lead in BSI responsible for investigating new AI markets and delivering new AI assessment services. Prior to this Tim was the Sector Lead for BSI with responsibility for the direction and development of key digital standards areas, including Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Tim has been working at BSI since 2009. Before joining BSI, Tim spent five years working in the strategy department for legal publisher LexisNexis. Tim has also worked as a management consultant and an internal consultant. Tim has an MBA from HEC in Paris, France. Tim will facilitate this session.
11:05
Going Beyond: Where Do Paradigm Shifts Lead Quality Management? 11:05–11:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Known as the European powerhouse for quality and the provenance of the Industry 4.0 concept, Germany faces the same hard industrial, geopolitical and societal challenges as many economies. This session provides the opportunity to explore beyond the entrenched QM filter bubble, following general and QM-specific paradigm changes towards reformative fields of action.
Benedikt Sommerhoff
Head of Quality & Innovation
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität
Benedikt Sommerhoff is Head of Quality & Innovation at DGQ – the German Quality Association. Over the past 25 years, he has held various expert and leadership roles within the organization. He analyses current challenges and future trends, driving initiatives to reimagine quality management for an increasingly digitalised economy. A prolific author, he publishes widely on all aspects of quality. Since summer 2024, he also serves as editor of QZ – Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit, Germany’s leading quality management magazine. Benedikt studied Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Quality Management at RWTH Aachen University and earned his doctorate from the University of Wuppertal. He began his professional career as a Quality Engineer in the automotive supply industry.
11:40
Rethinking Public Sector Transformation 11:40–12:40
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Sponsored by:
Success in the public sector hinges on embracing at pace simplification, agility, innovation, continuous learning, and employee empowerment. This session shines the spotlight on how the UK MOD Defence Equipment and Support is using quality management to shift the dial on public service delivery.
Tina Mason
Deputy Director - Head of Oversight (Process, Risk and Assurance)
Defence Equipment & Support
Tina started her career in audit and assurance, later accumulating significant leadership and transformation expertise within regulated industries. Her experience spans operational excellence, risk and assurance and finance across both private and, more recently, public sectors. Holding credentials as a Chartered Quality Professional, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Tina's firm grounding has been instrumental in her achievements and greatly shapes her approach to enhancing organisational performance. Notable accomplishments include designing and implementing new operating models, spearheading cultural change and establishing and embedding continuous improvement frameworks. Presently, as the Head of Policy and Oversight at Defence Equipment and Support, Tina is leading on the development and implementation of a management operating system to underpin delivery of operational excellence within the organisation.
11:40
Rethinking Risk: Unlocking Long Term Value 11:40–12:40
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Sponsored by:
Helping organisations understand and mitigate quality risk has always been core to quality management. In the session the panel will examine how organisations and quality practitioners should be approaching risk in the modern context, consider risk blind spots and look at the balance between appetite and innovation.
Nina Abbassi
Director
Abbassi Ltd
Nina Abbassi; B.Sc. Hons, CQP, FCQI, IRCA Certified Principal Auditor; founder and Director of Abbassi Ltd since 1993; is a Consultant, Trainer and Auditor. She brings over 3 decades of innovative and result-driven expertise in business quality, performance improvement, social responsibility, and sustainable development across various industries. Her voluntary contributions include serving on the CQI Board of Trustees, judge at the International Quality Awards, expert member on several British and International Standard committees, including the ISO Working Group WG29 for the revision of ISO 9001:2015; representing the CQI.
Tony Blanch
Quality and Business Improvement Director
Network Rail
Tony Blanch is the Quality and Business Improvement Director with Network Rail. He also has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry. He has knowledge of continuous improvement (Lean and EFQM), IT, commercial and management systems, information security, business continuity, collaborative working and asset management. Tony’s current work at Network Rail is about improving how business is managed to give clarity and confidence that they are doing the right things in the best possible way, with the least chance of things going wrong. Tony’s work aims to enable the organisation to operate efficiently and effectively, learn as a business, improve safety, become more agile and responsive, and, in turn, deliver increased value for their passengers.
Stephen Smith
Co-Founder
Practical QARA
Stephen has over 25 years in the medical device industry with positions ranging from QA Auditor to Quality and Regulatory Director. He is now running a Quality and Regulatory consultancy for the medical device industry. Previously he has worked with many devices in large and small organisations from medical disinfectants to surgical robots. Stephen has PhD in Quality Management, MSc in Medical Diagnostics, an MSc and BSc in Geography and Environmental Science and is a Fellow of CQI and on the CQI Content Advisory Panel.
11:40
Quality Professionals as Heroes of AI Digital Transformation 11:40–12:40
Location:
London Wall Hub
AI promises radical improvements in efficiency, adaptability, and competitive edge, but AI also introduces significant risks to organisations and individuals. Can quality professionals be uniquely positioned to use quality competencies? This panel discussion session will use experience and research in AI deployments to identify to challenges and opportunities of AI and debate if and how quality professionals could use quality competencies such as context, leadership, improvement and governance to maximise the impact and reduce the risks of AI?
John-Paul Danaee
Co-Founder
Equitably.AI
John Paul has 30+ years of business experience combining marketing, performance improvement, and automation across sectors, including technology, media, manufacturing, and banking internationally (UK, Australia, US, Europe, etc.), in established and early-stage companies. His Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and technology experience in improving and automating repetitive and cognitive human processes whether through AI, automation or improvement includes more than a decade between equitably.ai, AI First Trading, HSBC and NCR Corporation.
Richard Corderoy
CEO
Oakland
Richard Corderoy is Managing Director of The Oakland Group, a data consultancy that helps organisations find the true value in their data by bringing together analytics, process, and governance. Clients include Network Rail, Yorkshire Water, UKPN, Severn Trent, Channel 4, and Vodafone. Richard is a passionate technologist who is both a sceptic and an optimist with a strong belief in data having the potential to build a better world. Prior to The Oakland Group, Richard began his earlier career with the Royal Navy and Lloyds Banking Group in both operational and commercial roles.
Rashid Adam
COO
Findlay Park
Rashid Adam is Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Findlay Park, a leading London-based investment management firm known for its long-term, high-conviction approach to investing in US equities. Since joining the firm in 2011, Rashid has played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the firm’s operational backbone, ensuring it remains robust, scalable, and aligned with Findlay Park’s commitment to excellence and integrity. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Rashid brings extensive experience in transforming operational infrastructures within the financial services sector. Prior to Findlay Park, he was a Senior Financial Services Consultant, where he oversaw the IT infrastructure for multiple funds in London. From 2001 to 2008, he held a range of leadership roles in support, project management, and consultancy at firms including CYIENT and IBM. His strategic insight and ability to integrate technology with operational efficiency have been instrumental in modernising Findlay Park’s internal capabilities to support its high-performing US equity fund.
Simon Bollans
Partner
Stephenson Harwood
Simon leads Stephenson Harwood’s international technology sector group, and his practice focuses on IT transactions and emerging technologies. He has significant experience advising on complex IT and managed services arrangements, BPO/IT outsourcings, cloud services, and system integration and digital transformation projects. Simon also advises on software licensing, data protection compliance, cybersecurity, and new disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning. Simon has gained industry experience from a number of client secondments, including to the technology contracting team of a Big Four accountancy firms and the group legal team of a global telecommunications provider.
12:40
Lunch 12:40–13:45
13:45
Quality Professionals as a Strategic Force 13:45–14:10
Location:
Broadgate Forum
The world changed radically since the turn of the 20th century requiring organisations to adapt at pace. Meanwhile the world of quality management has, until now, carried on doing what it has always done. This session outlines emerging insight into how the increase in research into quality over the past 10 years is providing the basis for quality management and quality practitioners to come out of shadows and shift from operational necessity to a strategic force for sustainable, competitive performance.
Mike Turner
Head of Research Innovation
Chartered Quality Institute
Mike is an experienced quality and operations professional with 40 years’ experience in business and consulting. After graduating from university, Mike began a career in operations and general management, gaining experience in a number of UK and US-based multinational organisations. During this period, Mike led the implementation of organisational change, Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement, and business process improvement programmes. As an expert in quality and operations management, Mike has run long-term assignments in a range of large global manufacturing, service and public sector organisations. He is a regular speaker on management issues, and an author of e-books, print books, papers and articles. He has a first degree in Engineering and a postgraduate MBA. Mike is also proud to be a Chartered Quality Professional and has served on the Board of Trustees of the CQI. He was a founder member of the Oakland Institute for Business Research and Education and has won an award for his research work.
14:10
Dictating Quality: Navigating Populism in 2025 14:10–14:45
Location:
London Wall Hub
In 2024 half the world’s population voted in elections many voting for what has variously been described as populist, right-wing and authoritarian governments. This session explores the underlying personal, social and commercial forces that have led to this and what these changes this mean for managing and improving quality when management styles revert to command and control, when the cultures clash, when decisions are no longer made based on evidence, and when the struggling rules-based order compromises markets and supply chains.
David Straker
Director
Changing Minds
David Straker, CQP, MCIM, MSc (business), MSc (psychology) is a former quality manager, having worked in commercial and government organisations, both large and small. He has served the CQI over many years, including writing many practical articles for Quality World, working as a trustee and running workshops on psychology and quality. Since retirement he has taken a close interest in ancient and modern history including its cycles of power and politics.
14:10
Crafting Digital Transformation in Healthcare 14:10–14:45
Location:
Bishopsgate Hub
Netcare Ltd.'s International Quality Award winning CareOn project revolutionised the way healthcare is provided across South Africa, and increasingly the globe. Transitioning from a paper-based medical records system to a digital-first approach for key stakeholders relied on significant technical innovation and fostering new skills across thousands of end users. Hear how Quality 4.0 principles informed this digital transformation project, and what lessons were learned along the way.
Gerhard Weiss
Director: Systems Integration and Projects
Netcare
Gerhard is an award-winning Strategic Portfolio Execution and Quality Assurance Specialist in multiple sectors including Construction, Mining, Finance and Healthcare. With more than 20 Years of experience on Mega Project Initiatives in England, Wales, Scotland and South Africa, he is able to leverage multiple dimensional approaches to transform business ideas into business assets. For the last 7 Years Gerhard has successfully Directed the Group’s Digitisation Strategy Execution inclusive of 118 Projects and the Implementation of CareOn, a world class bespoke Electronic Medical Records System across the entire group of hospitals. CareOn and Netcare won the Digital Innovation award at the CQI International Quality Awards 2024.
14:10
Crafting a No Defects Culture at Shell 14:10–14:45
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Learn how Shell’s vision of 'No Defects', drives continuous improvement across all projects and their supply chain, ingraining a Quality Everyday mindset and a steep reduction in defects eliminating recurrence while driving transparency on performance and reducing costs attributed to poor quality.
Luisa Swanston
Shell
Luisa Swanston is a chemical engineer with 32 years of experience in Shell. Her diverse career spans commercial sales, marketing and business roles in Chemicals, Lubricants, and Contracting and Procurement. Since 2018,Luisa has focused her career on quality management, currently overseeing global vendor approval process and quality standards for supply chain contracts. With an unique perspective from local to global roles, Luisa is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge in quality management to drive industry-wide excellence.
14:45
Break 14:45–15:00
15:05
Positioning the Quality Function: Quality Leaders Panel 15:05–16:05
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Strategic asset or back office? Compliance force or performance enablers? This session examines how quality leaders are positing their function within their organisations’ contexts and strategies to create value, and what skills and capabilities will be crucial for their teams over the coming decade.
Andy Maher
Quality Director
BAE Systems
As Quality Director for the BAE Systems Group, Andy leads a team with a large geographic reach with facilities in over one hundred and fifty locations; providing products and services across Air, Land, Sea, Space and Cyber. Andy is accountable for the development and deployment of the quality strategy, management system and resources across the group and is the accountable person for quality. Andy holds a number of degrees including a Master of Business Administration. He also holds Technical committee leadership positions for the British Standards Institute (BSI) is the Chair of the UK Aviation, Defence and Space Quality Board and has previously held committee leadership positions in the European Aviation Space & Defence Standards organization (ASD-Stan).
Anar Malikov
Founder
TCS
Anar Malikov CQP FCQI, FIIRSM, CMIOSH, PhD Researcher & Industry Leader brings over 30 years of experience in quality and safety. As CEO of TCS, he leads advancements in industrial inspection and competency development. His research focuses on quality management in developing countries, and he is a frequent speaker and thought leader on quality culture and certification standards.
Dan Kent
Vice President, Operational Development
Element Materials Technology
Dan Kent CQP FCQI MIET leads Quality, Operational Excellence and SHE for Element, a global testing, inspection and certification business with over 270 laboratories around the globe. Element supports businesses across a diverse range of Aerospace, Defence, Space, Energy, Built Environment, Connected Technologies and Life Sciences sectors. With over 1000 accreditations and approvals, Element provides certainty to industries where failure in service is not an option. Dan’s expertise and current accountability span Quality, Operational Excellence, & SHE, and he’s led these functions is a diverse range of companies, including Toshiba, NATS, Network Rail and Lloyd’s Register.
Judith Ward
Technical Director Quality Health and Safety
Mott Macdonald
Judith is a Programme Director with over 25 years’ experience in various industry sectors including infrastructure, defence, nuclear, heavy and light rail, highways, transportation, construction, utilities, local authority, and consultancy. She was awarded Quality Professional of the Year 2024. Having sat on several steering groups, Judith has provided industry improvements and advice to central government policy. She also has a proven track record in QHSE management both as stand-alone and integrated disciplines. Judith is an EFQM Master Practitioner and has led assessment teams through the BQF awards. As a registered lead auditor across QHSE disciplines, Judith was also a technical reviewer whilst at LRQA, providing assurance for quality of service provision to UKAS as well as a registered team member for high risk projects for Infrastructure Projects Authority.
15:05
Rethinking Improvement: Navigating a Volatile World 15:05–16:05
Location:
London Wall Hub
Sponsored by:
Operational excellence has been described as a journey. In a fragile and unpredictable world, short term tactics can trump long term strategy. This panel discussion examines how business improvement and operational excellence teams should be navigating the current climate. This sessions is being delivered in partnership with the British Quality Foundation.
Samantha Canham
Senior Continuous Improvement Manager
Curry's Customer Repair Centre
Samantha Canham CMgr FCMI is an operations and CI leader with 7 years’ experience delivering transformation across service, supply chain, and repair environments. A Lean Six Sigma MBB and Chartered Fellow in Management, she recently developed a GPT-powered CI enablement tool to simplify access to improvement methodologies and support frontline decision-making through AI. Samantha has delivered revenue in the millions through targeted initiatives and is known for a fast-paced, delivery-focused approach. Her work is grounded in practical, real-time improvement and designed to equip teams to adapt and perform in volatile, uncertain, and fast-changing operational environments.
Nigel Richardson
Managing Director
Adapt and Exceed Ltd
Nigel is a dedicated and passionate leader and coach, committed to helping others adapt to an increasingly uncertain future that creates risk, but also opportunity. He collaborates with leaders to bridge the gap between current and aspirational performance at individual, team and organisational levels. With a unique blend of psychology and business process expertise, Nigel aids leaders in developing effective innovation and execution built on a foundation of human performance.
Matt Sims
Leadership, Change, Transformation & Operational Excellence
Ever-So-Lean
Matt Sims is a multi-award-winning global leader in leadership, transformation, and operational excellence, with over 25 years’ experience at organisations like Royal Mail and Amazon. Known for his people-first approach, he helps teams unlock their full potential, drive meaningful change, and create high-performance cultures. As the creator of the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Rising Stars™ programme, and host of the acclaimed Ever-So-Lean Podcast, Matt makes complex concepts accessible and actionable for audiences around the world. A dynamic speaker, coach, and author of two influential books, he brings authenticity, energy, and practical insights to every talk, workshop, and coaching session, empowering individuals and organisations to thrive.
16:05
Closing remarks - Rashad Issa 16:05–16:20
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Rashad Issa
Chair
Chartered Quality Institute
Rashad is a Non Executive Director, strategy specialist and an operational Quality, governance & assurance expert. With a proven track record of guiding ambitious businesses to operational excellence, Rashad is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Chartered Quality Insitute (CQI) and a member of the C-suite at the Baltic Exchange, implementing Quality Management principles, spearheading efforts to optimise regulatory compliance in financial benchmarks, fostering process improvements, efficiency and excellence. Rashad has been recognised as a Fellow of the CX Academy for his contributions to elevating the profile of the customer experience industry. He recently concluded a three-year term as an Insights Advisor for the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative with the Project Management Institute. Rashad is a thought leader leveraging his platform as a Podcaster and a Blogger. Founder of the Rashad in Conversation podcast and the How To Quality©️ series, shedding light on the indispensable value that the Quality profession contributes to businesses worldwide, sharing inspiring success stories from global leaders.
16:20
Networking and drinks reception 16:20–17:15
17:15
International Quality Awards 17:15–18:30
Location:
Broadgate Forum
Join us for the presentation of awards to the winners of the International Quality Awards 2025!