Hughes Ellard - General - Southampton

Date: 09 Jun 2009

A commercial property consultancy near Southampton is the first in the UK to achieve an international hallmark standard in data security.

Hughes Ellard, an independent agency with 16 staff, achieved ISO 27001, a leading-edge information security management system.

The certification offers reassurance to hundreds of clients, ranging from multi-national pension funds to private landlords with commercial property investment portfolios, and potential new ones.

Data security has become an increasing area of concern in the UK following a series of high-profile digital blunders involving personal and financial details going astray.

Gary Jeffries, Hughes Ellard's managing director, said: "We may only be a small company but our clients rightly require assurance that data security is taken seriously at every level of our service.

"The internationally-recognised and highly respected ISO 27001 provides them, and future clients, with peace of mind.

"Achieving the certification took months of dedicated hard work by the team and involved substantial changes in working practices, but it was worth it as we are already seeing the advantages through continual improvement.

"Businesses, whatever their size, simply cannot be cavalier in their attitude to data protection, especially confidential financial details.

"It has been confirmed that we're the first property consultancy in the UK to be awarded this particular standard, which is quite something bearing in mind the large size of many property consultancies."

ISO 27001 demands rigorous security controls, from on-site CCTV and back-up tapes to disaster recovery and business continuity.

The certification represents a hat-trick of ISO achievements for Hughes Ellard.

It was certified last year with ISO 9001 - quality management systems -and ISO 14001 - environmental management systems.

Each ISO was subjected to a three-stage, exacting audit process, and the latest one included testing the existence and effectiveness of information security controls and supporting documentation.

The ISO prefix stands for International Organisation for Standardisation, the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards.

Hughes Ellard's professional services include development appraisal, search and acquisition, valuation, rent review and lease renewal, asset management, building consultancy and disposals and investment advice throughout the Solent Corridor and UK.

SIGNING IN: staff at Hughes Ellard mark international hallmark standard in data security

Where do I go now?: » View the latest news items » View the news archive » Subscribe to Weekly Property Newsletter » Submit news