It’s been one of those stretches where the good news just keeps coming. 🥳
From celebrating our ISO 9001 certification with BSI, to being awarded the SHINE Advanced Accreditation, there’s been a lot happening behind the scenes at Phonetic Digital, and it feels only right to take a moment to celebrate it properly.
Both milestones recognise different parts of who we are as a business. One reflects the quality of our processes and the standards behind the work we deliver. The other recognises the kind of workplace we’re continuing to build, one that feels like a fair and supportive space.
Together, they say a lot about the way we work, the care we put into our team and the support we give to our clients.
Marking our ISO 9001 milestone
We were invited to visit BSI’s head office in Milton Keynes for a celebration day recognising accredited businesses.
It was a great moment to mark the milestone after becoming ISO 9001 accredited, and to take a moment to reflect on the work that went into achieving it.
ISO 9001 recognises the quality of our processes and the standards behind the work we deliver. For us, that means having clear ways of working, keeping projects on track and making sure the service we provide is consistent, reliable and always improving.
It might not sound like the most glamorous thing in the world, but it’s certainly so important.
Recognising the workplace we’re building
Alongside our ISO celebrations, we’re also really pleased to share that we’ve been awarded the SHINE Advanced Accreditation.
SHINE is a North East programme, led by the North East Combined Authority, recognising businesses that are creating fairer, safer and more rewarding workplaces.
The Advanced level recognises organisations that have achieved all five SHINE beams, covering employee health, safety and wellbeing, fair work, opportunity and social responsibility.
For us, this one feels really meaningful because it reflects the kind of workplace we’re always trying to build. One where people feel listened to, supported and able to do good work in an environment that feels right for them.
As a B Corp certified digital agency and Real Living Wage employer, SHINE sits closely alongside the values we already hold as a business.
The good news doesn’t stop there.
We’ve also been shortlisted for not one, but two Living Wage Champion Awards. 🎉
Phonetic Digital has been recognised in the following categories:
→ Living Wage Leader SME
→ Living Wage Champion of the Year
Since Sunderland became a Living Wage City in 2022, there has been clear progress across the city, with 62 accredited real Living Wage employers and more than 2,000 workers now benefiting from a pay rise that meets the real Living Wage.
That work is continuing locally through a new three-year action plan, with our MD Steven Parker continuing to chair Sunderland’s real Living Wage action group.
It’s great to be part of a movement that’s helping create fairer workplaces, stronger businesses and better opportunities for people across the region.
Supporting clients when it matters
Of course, while accreditations and certificates are a lovely thing to celebrate, the real value comes from what they help us do better.
For us, that comes back to supporting our clients.
Steven and Jess had the pleasure of attending a really exciting event at the House of Commons supporting the Responsible Finance team with the launch of their 2026 Impact Report. 🤩
We work with Responsible Finance across their digital activity, helping them share the work of the UK’s community development finance institutions, also known as CDFIs.
CDFIs do incredible work addressing the gaps in mainstream finance by helping more businesses, social enterprises and people access fair finance.
The launch was a brilliant chance to hear more about that impact and see the report brought to life in such an exciting setting.
It was also a great reminder of why digital support matters.
When an organisation is doing important work, its message needs to reach the right people. Its website, content, reports and social media platforms all play a part in helping that happen.
That’s where we come in.😁
We NEVER want to just deliver the work and walk away. For us, the best work comes from building lasting relationships with brilliant clients, getting to know what matters to them and supporting their digital activity as their work continues to grow.
The Responsible Finance Impact Report Launch was exactly that for our team.
Seeing the report brought to life at the House of Commons, and being there to support the team on the day, was a real reminder of why those long-term relationships matter.
Keeping the momentum going
So, it’s been a busy few weeks full of celebrations.
But more than anything, these moments have been a reminder of what we’re building at Phonetic Digital.
Strong processes.
A supportive team.
Thoughtful digital work.
And long-term relationships with clients doing genuinely important things.
Watch this space for bigger news soon to come…
