In celebration of World Quality Week, LRQA’s latest Future in Focus podcast brings together two of our leading voices in quality and training to explore how ISO 9001 continues to shape the way organizations think, operate and evolve.
Hosted by Xavier Francis, this special episode features Bill Barnes, QHSE Auditor Manager for LRQA in North America, and Dariusz Antonczyk, Training Improvement Service Delivery Manager for the UK and Americas. Together, they reflect on the history of ISO 9001; its lasting impact; and how today’s integrated management systems are preparing organizations for a more connected, risk-aware and opportunity-driven future.
From consistency to culture: the ongoing evolution of ISO 9001
As Bill explains, the ISO 9001 standard – originating from the British Standard 5750 in the 1970s – was designed to bring consistency and continual improvement to global industries. Over time, its focus has expanded from product measurement to performance, leadership and risk-based thinking.
“Quality and management systems are no longer just about consistency,” Bill says. “They’re a performance driver; helping organizations realise products, revenues and long-term resilience.”
This evolution has positioned ISO 9001 as the foundation for numerous other standards, including ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for health and safety and ISO 27001 for information security; all share a unified structure and are increasingly interconnected.
Quality as a shared responsibility
For Dariusz, one of ISO 9001’s greatest achievements is how it changed the way businesses view quality.
“Quality is not a department; it’s a system that covers the whole company,” he explains. “It teaches people how to manage their business so that quality becomes part of everything they do.”
This integrated approach ensures that quality connects every function; it helps organizations meet client expectations, reduce risks and identify opportunities for improvement. The PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle remains central to this mindset, driving continuous improvement across all standards.
The power of culture and leadership
Both guests highlight that the success of any management system depends on the culture behind it. Dariusz emphasises that when people truly understand and live the values of quality, the system moves beyond documentation to become part of everyday behaviour.
“If the culture really exists, people talk about it; they live it,” he says. “That’s when quality grows – because people take ownership and act responsibly, even when no one’s watching.”
Bill agrees, noting that the emphasis on workplace culture in upcoming revisions of ISO standards reflects a growing recognition that strong leadership and shared values are the real drivers of quality.
A future built on integration and innovation
As industries embrace new technologies and respond to emerging risks, both experts see cross-disciplinary understanding and collaboration as essential. At LRQA, teams are already working to equip auditors, trainers and clients with the integrated skills needed for the future; combining knowledge of quality, safety, sustainability and cybersecurity into unified frameworks.
The conversation also touches on innovation management (ISO 56001) and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the next generation of assurance professionals.
“The new generation gives a different perspective,” says Dariusz. “They’re open to collaboration, fluent with digital tools and focused on finding smarter, faster ways to solve problems. That’s the future of quality.”
Looking ahead: quality as a unifying principle
As World Quality Week reminds us, progress depends on thinking differently. From the first ISO 9001 standard to today’s interconnected systems, quality has evolved from ensuring consistency to enabling innovation, resilience and trust.
“Quality in its purest sense is a performance driver that’s been around for decades,” Bill concludes. “Now, as culture becomes the next big driver, we’re building on fifty years of progress to deliver value across every sector.”
Listen to the full episode
Discover more insights from Bill, Dariusz and Xavier by listening to this Future in Focus podcast episode, available now on Spotify and and all other major streaming platforms.
Join us in celebrating World Quality Week and in thinking differently about how quality, leadership and culture can help shape a better, more connected world.
