Quality Live 2024: leading the global quality profession and celebrating excellence

Quality Live 2024 delivered another highlight event for the quality profession with expert speakers, panelists, and 380 in-person attendees – double the number from the previous year. We hosted a programme of engaging keynote speakers, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Delegates connected over conversations on the opportunities and challenges facing the quality profession. The event concluded with the seventh International Quality Awards, announcing winners across eight categories. 

Spotlight on culture, AI, skills, and sustainability  

Following headline partner AWE’s opening address, the morning’s keynote speeches started with Julie Dawson, Chief Policy and Regulation Officer at Yoti, talking about the ethics of AI. Julie provided insights on approaches to policy and regulation while creating strategic value for organisations and customers. Dr. Ruth Hartley (CPsychol), Culture and Wellbeing Specialist at Rolls-Royce SMR followed with a keynote address on the influence of culture on behavior.

People talk about culture, but what is culture? Culture is behaviour, and behaviours begin with what goes on in people's heads. Culture is complex and layered. Most importantly, culture changes for better and for worse in life and business.

Dr. Ruth Hartley, Culture and Wellbeing Specialist, Rolls-Royce SMR

Delegates had the option to join culture or digital-themed plenary sessions. ‘Regulating AI for performance and compliance’ examined the extent to which AI can be regulated, with panelists: Julie Dawson, Chief Policy and Regulation Officer, Yoti; Vince Desmond, CEO, CQI (Chair); Tim McGarr, AI Market Development Lead (Regulatory Services), BSI; and Lorraine Turner, Accreditation Director, UKAS.

Spotlighting quality – ‘Setting the tone for quality, safety, and compliance’ – examined developing the right cultures and behaviours while navigating strict compliance and high consequences of failure. Panelists included Colin Campbell, Associate Director – Improving Project Delivery at Scottish Futures Trust; Paul Cruise, VP Quality, GKN Aerospace; Dr. Ruth Hartley, Culture and Wellbeing Specialist, Rolls-Royce SMR; Karine Rackham, Head of Quality, Sellafield Ltd.; and Mike Turner, Head of Profession, CQI (Chair).

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The programme offered interactive workshops covering critical themes and engaging discussion from AI, culture, and sustainability to diversifying skills. Ryan Renard CQP MCQI, SQMS Manager, Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing UK Ltd commented, “Change comes when we take ownership and responsibility because people are what matters when it comes to quality culture.”

The afternoon presented four break-out sessions for delegates to explore topics including ‘AI is everyone’s business’, ‘The culture of leadership and continuous improvement’, ‘Empowering quality professionals to make a difference’, and ‘Developing organisation-wide quality capability’.

International Quality Awards 2024 winners 

We were delighted to finish an incredible day celebrating the seventh International Quality Awards winners. The awards recognise quality excellence across emerging talent and pioneering organisations committed to advancing global agendas from sustainability to digital innovation.

It was great to see almost 400 quality folks focussing on how we can move from talk to action in areas from sustainability to AI. And, of course, it was great to draw inspiration from our stellar awards finalists and winners. 

Vince Desmond, CEO, CQI 

Content from the day will be available on our Quality Learning Hub soon. Stay tuned for updates on how to access it.