First six companies certified by BSI to new international standard for collaborative business relationships

03 March 2017

Costain, EMCOR UK, Kier, Leidos, NATS and Network Rail are the first six UK and worldwide companies to be independently assessed by BSI and achieve certification to ISO 44001: Collaborative business relationship management systems – requirements and frameworks. The new international standard, which is now published, replaces BS 11000 Collaborative Business Relationships and provides guidance for identifying, developing and managing collaborative business relationships within or between organizations.

BS 11000 has already helped numerous organizations in the UK enhance their competitiveness and performance. The new international standard has been developed in order to take in to account today’s business requirements and changes in technology and communications.

Whilst some of the requirements within BS 11000 have been retained in the new standard, ISO 44001 uses a high level structure (HLS) - featuring terms, definitions, headings and text common to all management system standards - allowing easier integration when implementing multiple management systems. Some of the other changes include an increased focus on competence and behaviours, a need to consider the implications of the Supply Chain and extended enterprise, and an emphasis on the importance of Senior Executives Responsible (SERs).

Costain, EMCOR UK, Kier, Leidos, NATS and Network Rail have been guided by the final draft before publication, which enabled them to meet the requirements of the new standard by the publication date.

Frank Lee, Product Certification Technical & Operational Delivery Director at BSI commented: “Since 2010 when BS 11000 was first published, the way that organizations do business – and in particular, the way that they collaborate has changed significantly. ISO 44001 ensures that with more complex enterprises and supply chains and new market demands, organizations have best practice systems and processes in place for effective collaboration.

“Costain, EMCOR UK, Kier, Leidos, NATS and Network Rail should be delighted that they are the first to achieve certification with BSI to the new standard and we’re confident that they will start to see the benefits immediately.”

“This standard will become increasingly important to Costain as we develop more strategic relationships particularly in the technology space. The new standard requires us to have collaborative relationships aligned to our business strategy and that we deliver value to our customers – something which Costain was able to demonstrate very well.” Tony Blanch, Business Improvement Director, Costain.

Keith Chanter, CEO, EMCOR UK, commented: "The award of ISO 44001 represents the achievement of a very important strategic objective for EMCOR UK. Collaboration and the principles and practices embodied in the new standard underpins EMCOR UK’s approach to identifying customers’ strategic and operational requirements, thereby providing the means by which we can tailor services to these needs. This has not only allowed us to demonstrate the value we can provide, but has supported the increasing trend for our customers to enter into long-term, collaborative contracts. EMCOR UK is delighted to be amongst only six companies in the world - and the only FM company - to be certified under the new standard as it re-affirms our position as a leader in collaborative business relationships.”

Dave Wright, executive director, Kier Highways, said: “We’re pleased to be among the first companies to be certified to ISO 44001, which underpins our commitment to collaboration best practice. As the first Highways England provider to achieve its predecessor, BS 11000, before pioneering an industry-leading alliance approach, we’re pleased to continue our journey of firsts when it comes to collaboration.

“Successful collaboration, whether with clients or suppliers, is at the very heart of our business. It encourages innovation, creativity and productivity across the whole life cycle of our projects. Our achievement of IS0 44001 really highlights our commitment to collaborative working, and we will continue to lead the industry and demonstrate our expertise.”

“As a truly international organisation whose business is underpinned by its commitment to effective Collaborative Business Relationships, Leidos Innovations UK Ltd is both delighted and proud to be amongst the world’s first organisations to achieve the ISO 44001 Standard for Collaborative Business Relationship Management,” said Leidos Civil Group President, Angie Heise.

Tim Bullock, Director, Supply Chain at NATS said “We are delighted to be part of this world first and extremely proud to have achieved certification to this landmark International Standard. NATS has been a strong advocate of the standard since its inception, supporting ISO, BSI and the Institute for Collaborative Working during its development. Our commitment reflects the importance of the standard to our business, as it complements and underpins how NATS seeks to work in collaboration with our partners to achieve our strategic business aims.”

“Network Rail is committed to collaboration and leading industry change. To be the first UK infrastructure client certified to the new international standard is another significant step in our journey to meeting that commitment.” Francis Paonessa, Network Rails’ Infrastructure Projects Managing Director

Some of the key changes between BS 11000 and ISO 44001 include:

Greater emphasis on competence and behaviours
Alignment with other key management system standards through the use of a common structure and core text
A further emphasis on value creation and the establishment of a value analysis process
Identifying the needs of the complete supply chain and wider enterprise
A focus on the importance of commitment from executive level allowing for a greater insight into each relationship
An emphasis on the importance of Senior Executives Responsible (SERs) from partner organisations to be actively involved

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