Direct Approach

Sick of losing out on tenders? Not sure where to start with SSIP, accreditations, or ISO certifications? In this episode of The Direct Approach podcast, Ian and Ben break down exactly what you need to win more work through tendering - and bust some of the biggest myths holding contractors back.

Whether you're a sole trader chasing your first council contract or an established firm looking to land bigger jobs with national house builders, this episode lays out the practical steps to get tender-ready. From understanding why an SSIP is non-negotiable (think of it like a passport - without one, you're not even getting through the door) to knowing when an ISO certification is worth the investment, Ian and Ben share real-world examples from helping hundreds of clients win millions in contract value.

You'll hear about the common mistakes contractors make - like assuming you only need Health & Safety paperwork after you've won the job, or thinking no one actually reads your tender submission. Spoiler: they do, and it matters. Ben also explains how his new role as Senior Accreditations Specialist helps clients get the right accreditation for their business goals, not just the most expensive one.

The episode covers the essentials you need in your tender pack (Health & Safety policy, risk assessments, method statements, training records), how HS Direct's accreditations team handles 90% of the application work so you can focus on running your business, and why your tender submission is essentially your first impression to potential clients.

If you're a contractor or tradesperson looking to grow your business, land better contracts, and stop leaving money on the table, this one's for you.

Accreditations. Everyone says you need them, but no one tells you why they matter or how to get started. In this episode of The Direct Approach Podcast, Ian and Ben get straight to the point.

Tune in as they break down everything you need to know about Health & Safety accreditations and why they’re one of the biggest growth levers for contractors and construction businesses. Whether you’re being asked for an accreditation for the first time, struggling to win tenders, or ready to step up into commercial and public-sector work, this episode shows you exactly how accreditations can unlock new doors.

AI can write a policy in seconds… but should you trust it with Health & Safety and compliance? In this episode of The Direct Approach, Ian and Ben are joined by Ryan, Commercial AI Lead at Citation. Together, they explore the real impact of AI on Health & Safety, why generic outputs can be risky, how to use AI safely with a trust-but-verify approach, and what “agentic AI” means as tools start taking actions, not just answering questions.

Hello and welcome to the first episode of our new podcast, The Direct Approach!

From e-learning to employee contracts, health and safety docs to stellar accreditations, join hosts Ben and Ian as they talk about what HS Direct is, and how it helps give businesses two important things: time back, and peace of mind.

Pregnancy in the workplace might cause some bumps – in more ways than one. But there’s no need to worry, because the HS Direct experts are here to help you make sure the pregnancy processes go as smoothly as they can for everyone involved.

Listen to our Head of Health & Safety Lee Mockridge and Director of Service Delivery & Employment Law Guy Woodcock as they take a deep dive into all the considerations you need to make, from maternity policies and expectant mother risk assessments to maternity pay and returning to work after birth.

You might already have an inkling that legislation surrounding cosmetic procedures in the UK is changing soon – but how much do you actually know?

Trim the red tape out of your Health & Safety and ensure your management systems are cutting it by listening to our free podcast.

Whether you work in hair, barbering, tattoo artistry, nails, aesthetics, or cosmetics (and everything in between!), our experts – Head of Health & Safety, Lee Mockridge and Beauty Business Manager, Charlotte Bates, cover the must-knows for beauty businesses to get regulation ready, common Health & Safety mistakes and how to avoid them, and available support from HS Direct.