Meet the volunteer: William Rankin

I am a Senior Quality Leader for a global satellite company, where I am responsible for designing and deploying integrated management systems for our global business to support our customers across all industry sectors. I have over 18 years’ experience in the quality profession and have worked across four different industry sectors from pharmaceutical, oil and gas, to nuclear fusion and laterally communications. I have been fortunate enough in my career to develop my skills to become a multi-skilled Lead Auditor across five international standards, and this is crucial in my current role to develop our internal capability to support our customers.

Volunteering roles at the CQI

I am the Chair of the Audit Special Interest Group, (SIG) a committee member of my local Thames Valley branch and an active member on the Content Advisory Panel.

I started volunteering with the CQI about four years ago at the Thames Valley branch. I had recently moved back to the area and wanted to meet new people and once I attended the first event, I immediately offered my support to the branch, and it was the start of my CQI volunteering journey.

Volunteering has been a passion of mine for many years whether through professional institutes such as the CQI or through local community initiatives. I find the experience rich and rewarding particularly by inspiring people and giving something back, but you also get the opportunity to learn from likeminded professionals, it really is a two-way unique experience.

Finding the time

The main challenge as a volunteer is time, particularly if you are like me and want to support activities across various spectrums. You need to find the balance between work and life to keep up with your commitments. The CQI and also the volunteer teams that I am involved with have always supported me though if time has become a challenge, you really do have a great network of support to allow you to flourish as a volunteer.

My greatest volunteering moment

All my volunteer experiences are a highlight to me, and they all bring different positive experiences, but it was a special honour to be appointed chair of the Global Audit SIG in May 2021, this new global team was created to grow and influence audit with no boundaries. The officers and committee involved are a delight to work and learn from, and we have something special in the making with our inaugural Audit Conference scheduled for September 2022.

If you are considering volunteering, my advice would be: don't delay! You have the opportunity to be part of building something special, and the CQI offer a platform for you to be successful and have fun along the way!