Showlite embraces ESSA Safety Accreditation Scheme by retained advisor Lee Holloway


Posted on Tue 18th Feb 2020 at 7:46pm

It’s a privilege to work with supply chain businesses in the events industry. I’ve been supporting suppliers and contractors of various types for over ten years as an independent quality, safety, sustainability and general “process” adviser, and in other forms for long before that.  This has kept me close and, in a way, protective of the part of the industry that carries the lion’s share of operational risk and liability. Collaborating with suppliers that are always under pressure with complex practical, budgetary and logistical challenges to help them build and maintain processes ensuring safety, efficiency and great customer experience can be exhausting for both them and me, but it's always rewarding.

ESSA’s launch of its new accreditation for contractors was intriguing when I first met Andrew Harrison to chat about it in 2019.  I’ve helped clients achieve similar CHAS and SafeContractor schemes for many years as well as ISO standards for safety, environment, quality and information security so a “new scheme on the block” was of great interest to me and to clients who were also ESSA members.

I’ve worked with Showlite for five years now and its been particularly enjoyable.  I love working with the wide array of different, colourful characters. Many laugh out loud moments with Rob, Paul, Roger and Ross, I particularly remember Roger’s “manual handling” text - I wonder if he does?

One thing everyone has in common though in the business is modesty, a desire to do a good job, maintain high standards, but to do so quietly without making a fuss or banging their own drum.

So when the business achieved CHAS a few years ago - the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme - it didn’t shout from rooftops. When Ross achieved his NEBOSH certificate, the business celebrated internally but played it down externally. Likewise when it launched its Showlite Licence - providing free health and safety training to its subcontractors, an industry first that others have followed, it didn’t broadcast loudly.

So, when Showlite is awarded the new ESSA Accreditation (application being processed as you read this) it will be another humble achievement that you’ll probably not hear about unless you ask, but the thought and effort that has gone into achieving this standard of working over recent years is worth every bit of recognition it grudgingly gets.

Don’t just think about on-site safety practices, working on steps, ensuring electrics are safe and so on.  What’s great about the ESSA scheme is that it recognises what Showlite has achieved at its production premises, including workshop equipment and plant training, inspection and monitoring regimes, COSHH control, facilities management…

I won’t go into more detail other than to say Rob, Roger - you both know the effort you and your teams have put into this (not forgetting many others at Showlite who have also contributed).

But if you’re an event organiser client or prospect of Showlite and understand your legal duty to vet your suppliers against health and safety criteria, then I’m hoping all of this is good, relevant news to your ears.  Contracting businesses are hard to run and it’s notoriously difficult to maintain high, consistent standards but - much as the team will resist telling you how well they actually do this - somehow Showlite has and does, and I’m sure the business will (quietly) enjoy being amongst the first exhibition sector safety accreditation holders.

Our Services

“The onsite team is always happy to co-operate with the inevitable last minute changes.”
Natasha Messer, Events Operations Manager, Prospects Events
“Showlite deliver exceptionally high levels of personal service. I know that I can rely on them to deliver throughout all aspects of the pre-planning, build and onsite work”
Mark Mayo, Director, Motorcycle Expo
“I have no hesitation in recommending Showlite as a professional and reliable supplier of contractor services. They are totally trustworthy and in touch with the latest regulations and requirements”
Mirabelle Chatterjee, Head of Operations, Nineteen Events
“We had the pleasure of having Showlite as part of our event team. The staff took the time, care and attention required to make sure that our exhibitors and us as organisers felt valued and looked after”
Diane Sheppard, Event Operations Manager, Quartz Business Media
“Over 1,200 exhibitors, almost 4 miles of aisle carpet plus enough shell scheme to cover two football pitches and it was the easiest get in we have ever had. Quite exceptional”
Andrew Reed, Managing Director, William Reed Business Media
“Showlite worked diligently with great speed to complete the build in the allocated time. We look forward to working with them at our next show”
Karen Harris, Operations Manager, Idex Media
“Showlite have worked hand in hand with us, investing in design, stock and materials developing an innovative product for our customers”
Bill Hammond, Managing Director, 3rd Street Group
“It has been a pleasure to work with Showlite who provided a seamless delivery both presite and onsite.”
Paul Clarke, Organiser, Installer Live
“My sincerest thanks go out to all Showlite staff who played an invaluable part in what seemed the impossible task. It goes without saying that I would not hesitate in recommending their services to others.”
Phil Valentine, Managing Director, ETES, Southern Manufacturing & Electronics
“I can honestly say one of the smoothest builds I have ever experienced on an event in over 17 years”
Nicola Greenaway, Managing Director, Nineteen Events
“We have a longstanding relationship with Showlite. They demonstrate a real professionalism and dedication and I look forward to working with the team again!”
Hannah Webb, Head of Operations, Hemming Group
“A massive thank you for helping us make this year’s Hearth & Home Exhibition a success. ”
Claire Cox, Hearth & Home, Fireplace Marketing Company
“Thanks to everyone at Showlite for a job very well done at The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair! The event went beyond expectation and there were hardly any glitches at all.”
Ingrid Nilson, Director, The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited
“I really appreciated the positive attitude of your team and the willingness to support unexpected problem situations onsite. It has been a great pleasure working with you both!”
Joy-Fleur Brettschneider, Marketing & Operations Director, Solar Media Limited
“Thank you so much for all your support on PATS this year. Showlite were absolutely brilliant. ”
Jo Scotting, Head of Operations, Impact Exhibitions
“We always know we’re in a safe pair of hands with Showlite. They deliver professional results with attention to detail and focus on service.”
Jo Foreman, Operations Manager, Brintex
“I would recommend Showlite completely from the level of personal service, quality of work and positive work attitude to keep on going until the job is done.”
Emma Barratt, Managing Director, Broadway Events
“Thank you for all your help and support for the NFE show. We had a lot of last minute changes, and Showlite were very accommodating and professional.”
Angela Long, Sales and Marketing Executive, Wesley Media
“Many thanks to Showlite. Everything went really smoothly and the show looked absolutely fantastic.”
Mandie Lavin, CEO, NAFD
“Phex has never looked as good and the build-up and breakdown went really smoothly. Thanks to everyone. I look forward to be working with you again in the future.”
Julie Pollet, Operations Manager, Brintex
“Showlite are the ultimate in prior planning and preparation. We never have any problem and if we do have an issue we resolve it there and then. We love working with Showlite.”
Andrew Reed, MD, William Reed Events & Exhibitions
“Big thank you to Showlite … once again it was a pleasure working with you all again and look forward to 2018!”
Sam Hunt, NMBS Events Manager
“Many thanks for the brilliant job you did on this year’s UKIVA which was a great success. The team pulled out all the stops to make sure everything was ready in time and ran smoothly throughout the day.”
Christine Valdes, Event Organiser, UKIVA, PPMA Group
“We would like to thank you and the team for an excellent build and all your help in the move to Mall Galleries after 25 years. ”
Gay Hutson, Founder and organiser, 20/21 British Art Fair
“The event looked great and the help and advice from Showlite throughout was invaluable. ”
Toby Merigan, Founder, European Sport Fishing Show
“Thank you for being a magnificent partner to Highways UK. Love the Showlite can do attitude and the smiles and personality that come with it.”
Andrew Dowding, Managing Director, Essential Infrastructure Events
“We have had excellent feedback from exhibitors and visitors and this is testament to the excellent partnership we have with Showlite.”
Justine Devereux, Operations & Project Manager, Xmark Media Ltd
“It was great to have Jenni onsite as it really makes a difference having her help to co-ordinate all aspects of the project.”
Joel Swarc, Associate Director, Promotor Events Ltd
“I would like to highlight the outstanding performance of Ross Isolda during the build up of the recent Foodex show at the NEC. I would like to thank him - and the boys on the tools also, for making the whole process as smooth as it was considering the challenge. ”
Phil Birch, Team leader, NEC mains services, NEC

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