It was good news for CEME on 26^th August when the team learnt that they had passed the triple ISO accreditation re-assessment with a clean bill of health. Terry Smith, Lead Auditor from ACM Ltd noted. "The audit covered the main process areas including Conference and Events, Programme Management, Occupancy and Facilities Management and Workshop. Evidence is available to demonstrate that the organisation has implemented an effective Integrated Management System covering the three standards, with excellent management controls in place that identify improvements and continually strive to meet customer requirements".

CEME's ISO Accredited Facility

CEME gained accreditation to ISO 9001:2000, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001:2007 in August 2008 after working hard to standardise key business processes in the management of Commercial and Educational accommodation, Conference and Events management and Regeneration Programme management. It has continued to operate, maintain and develop its operational practices over the last year and the ongoing commitment of all staff and success of the on-line Integrated Management system was evident during this year's audit.

CEME has benefited in a number of ways from implementing these standards across the business:

• Continuous assurance that the business is compliant and ahead of current legislation, particularly in areas of health and safety and environmental management.
• Cost savings in streamlining key business processes such as facilities management.
• Improvements in environmental performance: - CEME's energy consumption has been reduced dramatically over the past year.
• Pre-qualification to tender for many contracts including public sector regeneration programmes.
• Improvements in quality of service, resulting in an improvement in customer satisfaction and customer retention.
• Improvement in internal communication between all departments and a better shared understanding of the business
• A more proactive approach to risk management across all areas of the business.

Matthew Farrant, Operations Director commented on the success 'I am extremely pleased to say that no improvement actions or Non-Conformances were found or recommended and that this is a testament to the good work that the whole company has put in over the last 12 months, in particular Stephen Bowes, our Health & Safety and Quality Manager. CEME prides itself on providing a true Centre of Excellence for engineering education in the Thames Gateway and this accreditation proves that it is being delivered every day in our facility.'

CEME has plans to further improve its processes over the coming 12 months and to deliver even more benefits to both its customers and the bottom line of the business, starting with the hosting of the annual Havering Business awards on 25th September 2009. With quality of service at the top of the agenda, CEME is a living ambassador for other local firms to see the benefits of ISO accreditation to business excellence and success.

CEME

CEME is a unique venture, a catalyst at the heart of the technology revolution in the Thames Gateway area delivering business creation, business growth and skills acceleration for the local economy. Its mission is to deliver local skills and local jobs for local people within the Technology sector in London Thames Gateway.  

CEME is a not for profit company which operates a world class education and business park in the Thames Gateway. The park hosts a range of public and private organisations.  By bringing these organisations and activities together CEME can deliver relevant skills for business to individuals of all ages, increasing employment opportunities and assisting business growth, creating new jobs and economic prosperity for the region, thereby creating new jobs and economic growth for the region.

CEME's world-class event and conference venue incorporates a state of the art auditorium, high tech training and meeting rooms and a café; supported by a professional conference and events team.