Alpha Swanson has achieved ISO 27001:2022 certification, giving the UK consultancy three ISO certifications.

The new certification sits alongside its existing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications. The business now holds recognised certifications covering quality management, environmental management and information security management.

Alpha Swanson secured ISO 27001:2022 certification using its own Certain® management system platform. Its information security management system was audited twice within three months by two separate UKAS-accredited certification bodies, with both audits confirming compliance.

The result strengthens the consultancy’s case that firms advising clients on ISO compliance should also meet those standards themselves. That argument is likely to resonate with companies facing greater scrutiny over governance and information security controls.

Own system

Its information security management system is hosted and managed on Certain®, which it also uses to hold documentation for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. The platform now underpins an integrated management system across all three standards.

ISO 27001 is widely used as a framework for identifying and managing information security risks. Organisations that gain certification are assessed on the controls, processes and governance structures they use to protect sensitive information.

For consultancies operating in the ISO market, holding certification can carry particular weight because they advise clients on the same standards. Alpha Swanson’s latest certification brings that issue into sharper focus, especially in information security, where client expectations and regulatory pressure have increased.

Jon Tait, systems director at Alpha Swanson, addressed that point directly.

“Any consultancy can tell you how to achieve ISO certification. We believe you should expect them to hold it themselves. ISO 27001 is the most demanding standard we work with and achieving it on our own Certain® platform is proof of exactly what it can do,” said Tait.

Audit scrutiny

The double audit is a notable part of the certification process described by Alpha Swanson. Assessment by two separate UKAS-accredited bodies within a short period adds scrutiny to how the management system was built and maintained.

That matters because UKAS accreditation is often treated in the UK market as an important marker of assurance in certification. Businesses seeking ISO recognition commonly distinguish between accredited and non-accredited certification when choosing advisers and auditors.

Alpha Swanson wants to promote the value of UKAS-accredited certification across sectors, while recognising that formal certification may not be the first step for every business. It positions Certain® as a system for organisations building standards-aligned processes before deciding whether to pursue external certification.

The broader backdrop is a market in which customers, partners and suppliers increasingly ask businesses to show evidence of structured controls over data, risk and operations. For smaller firms in particular, consultancies often play a central role in helping management teams translate ISO requirements into day-to-day procedures.

Against that backdrop, Alpha Swanson’s own certification gives it a stronger basis for arguing that advisers should be able to demonstrate compliance themselves, not just guide clients through the process.

The chair of the Witney Chamber of Commerce has said that the scheme to redevelop the town’s high street delivers “no economic benefits” on its own because the area already operates at capacity now.

This comes as Oxfordshire County Council prepares to begin work on the delayed project, with construction to commence in mid-May and finish in November 2026.

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Andrew Gant, the county council’s cabinet member for transport management, said: “The works will be undertaken in phases, starting on the western side of the street, with traffic movements restricted to southbound only during this phase.

“Works will then then switch to the eastern side of the street when traffic will only be permitted northbound on the High Street and Market Square between the Corn Street and Welch Way junctions.”

Andrew Gant (Image: NQ)

A spokesperson for the local authority said the works will make it easier for people to move around the High Street and access it.

The completed scheme will include new seating areas and trees, resurfacing of approximately 2,000m2 of existing footways and creating over 1,000m2 of new footway space, and a new bus stop for community transport.

However, chair of the chamber of commerce Adrian Bullock said they have a number of concerns from the reduction in the size of the carriageway to the fall in the number of taxi spaces.

Witney and District Chamber of Commerce chair Adrian Bullock (Image: Witney and District Chamber of Commerce)

Mr Bullock said: “We are confident a scheme accommodating short term parking, improvements to the paving, the same size taxi rank as now, increased disabled spaces and some beautification could have been achieved without requiring 2.5 sq km of new paving and access restrictions.”

He added that his group’s focus would be on making the area more attractive to visitors in other ways, working with West Oxfordshire District Council on marketing and better directional signage.

Witney High Street and Market Square (Image: OCC)

Local councillor Thomas Ashby also had worries, including about the construction period’s impact on local business.

Considering this, the Liberal Democrat-run county council has appointed an on-site public liaison officer who will work with parties impacted to ensure suitable access is maintained throughout.

Mr Ashby, a Conservative, said: “As businesses navigate a climate of increased taxation by the Labour Government, I worry that the summer construction will hinder our hospitality trade by eliminating outdoor service areas.”

Conservative councillor Thomas Ashby (Image: Thomas Ashby)

He also criticised the cost which has risen from an initial £1.98 million to £4.4 million.

“All funded by the taxpayer,” he added.

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The county council said: “The additional funding will help to deliver more of what local people told us they would like, while meeting increasing materials and labour prices.”

However, Mr Bullock was also unimpressed.

“There is no doubt the High Street needed improving,” he said, “and we are pleased that something is being done”.

“We are however disappointed that the cost has spiralled to £4.4m and that even with this enlarged budget some areas of paving will see no works or improvement.”

TeamSystem has appointed Tommaso Cohen as Chief Executive Officer and Federico Leproux as Executive Chairman, reshaping the leadership of the Italian software and AI group after Leproux’s roughly 20 years as chief executive.

The reorganisation gives Leproux responsibility for strategic direction, board oversight, stakeholder relations, mergers and acquisitions, and legal and corporate affairs. Cohen, previously Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Operating Officer, takes over day-to-day leadership of the business.

The move follows a succession plan developed over time and leaves the existing governance model largely unchanged. Cohen has held broad responsibilities across the organisation, including oversight of product and technology.

The changes come as TeamSystem reports strong growth in demand for AI-based services from small and medium-sized businesses and professional customers. In 2025, the group posted record revenue of €1.15 billion, with organic year-on-year growth of 12%, and had more than three million active customers.

TeamSystem employs more than 6,000 people and has a direct presence in five countries across Europe and the Mediterranean region. The group focuses on digital business management platforms used by companies and professionals.

Leadership shift

Leproux moves into the chairman role while retaining executive responsibilities as TeamSystem pursues further growth across its markets. His remit includes overseeing deal activity, signalling that acquisitions remain part of the group’s broader strategy.

Cohen’s appointment formalises a transition from a finance-focused executive to one with a broader operational and product brief. The handover was described as a natural progression.

The board also thanked Vincenzo Morelli for his contribution as Chairman. He will remain a member of the Board of Directors.

Growth backdrop

The management changes come amid expansion in software and AI tools for smaller businesses, an area where TeamSystem has built a sizeable customer base. Its cloud-based platforms are used by around 3.1 million customers.

That scale places TeamSystem among the larger European software providers focused on administrative, operational and business management tools for companies and professional firms. Its business spans Italy and international markets, with a footprint beyond its domestic base.

Leproux set out his view of the transition in a statement accompanying the announcement.

“Over the past twenty years, we have built an extraordinary story of growth and innovation, showing that an Italian tech company can become a reference point for millions of businesses and professionals worldwide,” said Federico Leproux, Executive Chairman, TeamSystem. “In this new phase, I will continue to work to ensure a robust strategy, strong governance, and alignment between the board, the management team and key stakeholders, while supporting further growth – also through M&A – in line with our industrial vision. Tommaso Cohen is the right professional to lead the Group as it enters its next chapter. His profound understanding of the company has already been instrumental in shaping our technology and product strategy, and his vision will take it exactly where we want to go. We will continue to work side by side, with the same dedication and commitment that have always characterised our approach.”

In his first comments as Chief Executive Officer, Cohen underlined the company’s focus on AI and said it now sees the technology as part of product design rather than an add-on.

“In recent years, TeamSystem has undergone a significant transformation that extends far beyond scale. We have evolved from a SaaS company supporting businesses to a truly multinational organisation that can develop AI solutions designed to integrate Artificial Intelligence into decision-making and operational processes. AI is not a technological layer added after the fact: it is the way we design our solutions from day one. Our customers increasingly expect effective tools that are seamlessly integrated into their business processes, enabling them to be faster, more efficient and gain a competitive edge. This is exactly where we can deliver value. Assuming my new role with a strong sense of responsibility, I will continue to work alongside Federico Leproux and the leadership team to take TeamSystem to new heights. The work ahead of us is exciting,” said Cohen.