Insight, Integrity and Innovation
On 17 December 2025, we marked the first anniversary of Littlechild & Haley.
We started with a simple idea. To create a consultancy where experienced auditors do the work, relationships genuinely matter, and internal audit, risk and governance feel modern, human and useful in the real world.
Twelve months on, that idea has become reality.
As Paul Haley reflects,
“From the outset, we wanted to build something that felt credible and grown-up. Clients want people who understand context, complexity and consequence, not templates or theory.”
What we have delivered
Over the past year, we have worked across public, not-for-profit, education, healthcare, housing and technology sectors. Our work has included internal audit delivery, External Quality Assessments under the 2024 Standards, governance and risk maturity reviews aligned to stronger Three Lines working, and one-page digital audit reporting with clear, practical root-cause analysis.
We have also delivered tailored training for Audit Committees and senior leaders, focused on confidence, clarity and better conversations rather than compliance alone.
Donna Littlechild adds,
“We try to leave people feeling clearer and more confident than when we arrived. Good audit work should feel constructive, not heavy or performative.”
With Neil Belton leading Technology Risk and Programme Assurance, we have strengthened our capability in IT audit, cyber and data risk, and complex programme assurance, reflecting the challenges organisations are facing right now.
Using AI carefully and deliberately
Technology has played an important role in our first year, particularly through the way we have embedded AI into our audit approach.
This includes L&H-AURA, our AI-enabled risk, foresight and assurance tool, alongside the Client Knowledge Vault, a secure system designed to help us build insight quickly while protecting confidentiality. We have also introduced AI-assisted capacity planning, root-cause analysis, issue tracking and digital audit reporting.
Paul explains our approach simply,
“The technology is there to support the work, not distract from it. It helps us move faster and see patterns more clearly, but judgement still sits firmly with the auditor.”
Responsible and secure foundations
Alongside delivery, we have been deliberate about how we operate as a business.
During our first year, we became Cyber Essentials Plus accredited, Disability Confident Committed, and signatories to the Green Growth, Equality and Mindful Employer pledges. We also published our first Carbon Reduction Plan and committed to Net Zero by 2030.
Donna reflects,
“We think a lot about how we show up. The way we work, the choices we make and the people we support are part of who we are, not something separate from the work.”
Brand, leadership and community
This year saw the launch of the L&H Innovation Hub, continued investment in a clear and recognisable brand, and the sharing of thought leadership that opens up conversations about the future of internal audit.
We were also proud to support three community initiatives focused on wellbeing, youth engagement and resilience.
Recognition
Being shortlisted at the UK StartUp Awards 2025 was genuinely encouraging. It felt like a nod that what we are building is being noticed.
A year in numbers
After twelve months, this is where we are:
- More than 10 clients across five sectors
- Multiple internal audit and EQA engagements
- One Innovation Hub
- Three community sponsorships
- Zero office footprint
- Four NHS SBS and National DPS frameworks
- Only experienced professionals, no juniors
- An AI-enabled audit approach supporting speed, clarity and capacity
Looking ahead
Year two is about deepening relationships, continuing to refine our audit approach, and using technology thoughtfully where it genuinely helps clients and teams.
Paul concludes,
“We are building the kind of firm we would want to work with ourselves. Straight-talking, thoughtful and focused on doing good work properly.”
Thank you to everyone who has supported us during our first year. As one supporter recently said:
“With the commitment, energy and enthusiasm you bring to the Internal Audit profession, you will be unstoppable.”
