Summer has been a busy period at Littlechild & Haley, though we both did manage to get away. We’ve been busy with external quality assessments, specialist audits and support for digital transformation projects keeping the team occupied. And, as September gets under way we’re also looking forward to getting out and about and catching up with clients and colleagues across Wales and beyond.
Our recent external quality assessment work has included organisations in medical insurance and the FTSE 250, with further work getting under way in the housing sector – We often find that working with internal audit teams in different settings gives us a valuable perspective on the challenges they face, the approaches that work well and where an independent view can help them move forward.
Alongside this, we’ve been working on procurement, wellbeing and regulatory audits, as well as assurance over digital programmes and projects… It’s been busy!
For digital transformation projects, getting assurance involved early really can make a practical difference:
“Once a project is finished, there’s only so much you can change,” says Donna Littlechild. “We’re looking at it while the work is happening, asking who’s making the decisions, where the checks are and whether responsibilities are clear. If something needs attention, that’s the time to pick it up, while the team can still do something about it.”
From the Fintech Awards to Ideas Fest
September began with the Fintech Awards Wales in Cardiff on 4 September. We didn’t take home the award in our category this time, but we were pleased to be among the finalists. Congratulations to the winners and everyone recognised on the night.
Next, we’re heading to Ideas Fest at Champneys, Tring, on 9 September, where the UK StartUp Awards national finals are also taking place (we are in the finals!) – It’s another occasion we’ve been looking forward to, and a chance to spend time with founders and businesses bringing new ideas into practice and swap ideas. Explore Ideas Fest.
Closer to home, our HIA Innovation Hub takes place in Cardiff on 11 September. These gatherings make space for heads of internal audit to exchange experiences, explore challenges and learn from one another. Bookings are open, and we’d be pleased to hear from you if you would like to join us.
Apply to join the HIA Innovation Hub.
Meet us in London
At the end of the month, Donna Littlechild, Paul Haley and Neil Belton will be at the Chartered IIA National Conference on 29–30 September, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
We’ll be exhibiting across the two days and would welcome the opportunity to talk about what’s on your agenda, whether that’s an external quality assessment, assurance over digital change or how internal audit can better support the outcomes your organisation is working towards.
Come and find us at the stand, or book a dedicated 20-minute meeting if there is something you would like time to discuss.
Find out more and book a meeting with us.
Further ahead this Autumn
- October brings a speaking engagement for Donna, who will be joining a Women in Tech Week panel in Cardiff on 14 October – attend here
- The following day, 15th October, we’ll be attending the Business Wales Expo in Swansea.
- In November, we’ll be in Bristol for the IIA South West Regional Event on 10th November,
- … followed by Procurex Wales at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff on 11th November.
- Our NED Innovation Hub will then take place in Cardiff on 20th November, bringing non-executive directors together for discussion and shared learning. Bookings are not yet open, so keep an eye out for further details.
There are plenty of opportunities to catch up over the coming months. If you’re attending any of these events, please come and say hello, or get in touch beforehand so we can make time for that (long overdue!) conversation.
