Embedding independent audit capacity within an inspection organisation
A certified lead auditor was deployed to carry out internal and external audits against ISO 9001 and VCA. Audit planning, reporting and knowledge transfer are now embedded as an ongoing capability.
Sector
Inspection
Approach
Audits and reporting
Work location
Hybrid
Peterson Control Union operates internationally in inspection and certification, with its own audit and compliance standards set high. When additional audit capacity was needed, there was no room for a long ramp-up. The audit schedule was already running and expectations were clear from the outset.
This made the question broader than capacity alone. The organisation needed continuity as well: someone who could step in immediately, work to the required standards and strengthen the internal audit function at the same time.
The challenge
Peterson needed a lead auditor who could independently plan and report in line with ISO 9001 and VCA, coordinate external audits and transfer knowledge to junior internal auditors. The assignment stayed focused on the audit function itself, without expanding into implementation of improvement measures or management coaching.
Blackbear's role
Blackbear helped define the assignment sharply before the work started. That meant setting the right profile, making the boundaries explicit and ensuring the engagement could begin without ambiguity. From there, the work was structured around audit delivery, periodic reporting and alignment with Peterson’s internal processes, with regular check-ins to keep quality and continuity on track.
Result
Since the start of the assignment in January 2026, the first three periods have been delivered and approved. Audit planning is operational, reporting runs in line with the applicable standards and the internal audit team is receiving active guidance. Peterson now has independent audit capacity in place without having to build it internally from scratch.
