Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for Quality Management in the UK

Myra Abordo
2 days ago
3 min read

Quality management in the UK is entering a pivotal moment. As regulatory expectations evolve from sustainability assurance to audit oversight and higher education quality, organisations now face a landscape where quality is no longer only about compliance. It is strategically central to trust, resilience, and long-term growth. In this blog, we explore the major quality management developments shaping UK organisations in 2026 and how strong quality leadership can make a measurable difference.

Business professionals reviewing documents and data with digital quality management icons overlaid, representing auditing, compliance, and internal quality processes.

1. A New Era of Sustainability Assurance: ISSA (UK) 5000

One of the most significant developments in UK quality regulation is the Financial Reporting Council’s release of ISSA (UK) 5000, the UK adaptation of a global sustainability assurance standard.

What it does:

ISSA (UK) 5000 outlines general requirements for sustainability assurance engagements and aligns with the international ISSA 5000 model.

Why it matters:

For organisations voluntarily reporting ESG or sustainability data, this standard provides a consistent and credible foundation for assurance. It helps strengthen investor confidence, improves transparency, and supports responsible decision making.

Strategic impact:

Forward-thinking organisations can use this standard to embed sustainability risk and performance into their existing quality systems. This transforms ESG from a reporting exercise into a core part of business-wide quality and accountability.

2. Higher Expectations for Audit Quality

The Financial Reporting Council has also issued conforming amendments to several key auditing and quality management standards, including:

ISQM (UK) 1 Quality management for firms
ISQM (UK) 2 Engagement quality reviews
ISA (UK) 220 Quality management for audits

What this means for UK organisations:

Internal audits must be more evidence-based, proactive, and risk driven
Firms need stronger internal controls and systems that support consistent quality outcomes
Businesses working with audit firms may see increased expectations around documentation, process discipline, and engagement oversight

These changes support a shift from reactive compliance to continuous quality improvement.

3. Higher Education Quality Code 2024: A New Focus on Partnership

The Quality Assurance Agency released the 2024 UK Quality Code for Higher Education, marking a fresh direction for universities and colleges.

Notable updates include:

Student partnership: Students are recognised as partners in shaping quality, not simply recipients of educational services.

Inclusivity and sustainability: More explicit focus on embedding inclusive practices and considering environmental and social responsibility within academic planning.

Self-monitoring and governance: Institutions are encouraged to develop strong internal governance and data-driven quality reviews to sustain continuous improvement.

This pushes the higher education sector toward more transparent, collaborative, and student-centred quality systems.

4. Quality as a Strategic Leadership Priority

Across industries, there is increasing recognition that quality is a leadership responsibility, not only an operational one. Boards and senior management are paying closer attention to process risks, governance structures, and organisational resilience. Poor quality management can lead to reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and financial loss. Strong quality systems, on the other hand, support trust, stakeholder confidence, and long-term business stability.

This is an opportunity for quality leaders to guide organisations in linking compliance with strategic value.

5. The Value of Consultancy, Auditing, and Quality Management Training in 2026

Organisations navigating this evolving landscape benefit greatly from quality expertise, including:

Consultancy

Gap analysis, strategic roadmaps, and modernisation of quality systems that align with current UK regulatory expectations.

Internal Auditing

Strengthening internal auditing functions so they reflect ISQM and ISA quality management requirements and support reliable decision making.

Awareness Training

Helping teams understand the purpose of quality so that compliance becomes part of daily practice, not an afterthought.

When quality is strengthened at every level from frontline teams to senior leadership, organisations become more resilient, more trustworthy, and more capable of adapting to change.

Conclusion

2026 is a defining year for quality management in the UK. With new sustainability assurance expectations, updated audit quality standards, and a reshaped higher education framework, it is clear that quality is no longer just about meeting requirements. It is about building trust, reducing risk, and driving long-term organisational value.

At Base Solutions Ltd, we support organisations looking to strengthen their quality systems, prepare for new standards, or build internal capability.