Our business

our story

I set up HKW Risk Management Ltd in 2016 for various reasons, I believed I could offer a different type of straightforward risk management in an approachable and friendly way, I wanted to work on lots of different projects with lots of different people as I love variety and I wanted to work for myself to provide flexibility around my young family. I'm also not very good at doing what I'm told so PAYE employment was never going to suit me for long!

When I started the business, I worked on my own and was the 'Chief Everything Officer' with the all stress and excitement that entails. I initially focussed on health and safety and then started to add quality and environmental projects. As the business has grown and developed, I have built a team around me and we have slowly changed direction over time. I no longer offer health and safety support but now focus on quality and environmental projects. I also offer strategic support on a 1-2-1 basis with Directors of small businesses.

As a team we work with varying sizes of businesses ranging from a one-man band selling aircraft parts to a blue-chip law firm with over 1000 people in 4 jurisdictions. Sectors we work with include:

  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Waste Management
  • Professional services including Legal, Consultancy and Software

Helen and client walking

We provide the following services

OUR VALUES

These values are very important to me as they summarise how I operate and manage my business, these are shared with my Associate Consultants as well as our clients and are embedded in the way we do business.
Keep it simple
We translate sometimes complex legal requirements into straightforward actions.
Stay curious
We always ask why something is done, and how it can be done better.
Do the right thing
We lead by example with our personal and professional behaviours.
Think green
We consider the environmental consequences of our actions and choices.
Be generous
We are generous with our time and knowledge to our clients and our wider business network. We are generous with our money by donating a percentage of pre-tax profit to our two charities St Richard's Hospice and We Talk Club.
Have fun
We approach serious subjects with open hearts and a sense of humour.
Eat cake
Which is self-explanatory!

Our environmental impact - think green

As part of 'Think Green;', I monitor my business mileage and I am making conscious attempts to reduce the miles I drive by using Zoom, biking to local clients, car sharing with team members and using the train. I offset the carbon emissions from business miles I have driven by buying carbon credits through the Gold Standard. I have supported the following projects in Cambodia, Guatemala and India (all countries I have visited).
Closer to home, I have started to support the 9 Trees initiative through an annual subscription to plant 9 trees a year as well as buying a tree for each new client.
On an administrative level:
  • I use recycled paper / stationery in the office and monitor the number of pages I print
  • I use Ecosia 'the search engine that plants trees', which is a very easy way to do something positive for the planet
  • I only buy reconditioned tech for both business and home which reduces the environmental impact of technology by keeping resources in use for longer
recycled stationery

Our charities – be generous

I donate a proportion of pre-tax profits every year to two charities whose causes are very close to my heart.
st richards hospice logo
I chose St Richard’s Hospice in memory of my friend and colleague Lucy, who suffered from ALK+ adenocarcinoma lung cancer and passed away on the 20th June 2019. Lucy and I met at a CQI branch meeting in 2016, shortly after we had both set up our consultancy businesses and we had lots to talk about – everything from the challenges of running your own business while being a mum to how we wanted to change the perception of quality management.
During her cancer diagnosis, Lucy wrote a moving and passionate no-holds barred account of life with cancer on her blog 'Me and my shadow'. She also raised money for both St Richard’s Hospice who supported her and her family during her illness and Cancer Research as well as taking part in the ‘Like Me’ campaign for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (watch her video).
Lucy was so bright and beautiful and had so much more to offer her family, friends and our profession, she is sorely missed.
Talk Club Logo
I chose We Talk Club in memory of one of oldest friends, Steve, who tragically took his own life on 21st January 2021 after an intense period of depression. Steve had been part of my life in various ways since I was 11, he had the most amazing smile which could light up the room and he always seemed so full of life itself. I still can't believe he has gone and I hope these donations go some way towards helping to provide a safe space for more men to talk, listen and find a supportive community to improve their mental fitness

The legal bit - doing the right thing

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