“The Accelerated Growth Programme transformed a daunting three-ISO challenge into a clear, coordinated plan, giving us the credibility and confidence to win bigger contracts across the UK.”
Founded in 2015, Godfrey Group Facilities began as a family-run start-up with a clear ambition: to bring high-quality building maintenance and professional commercial cleaning together under one trusted name. That ambition has driven rapid growth, with the company now a multi-service facilities partner trusted across hospitality, education, industrial, housing, and commercial sectors.
From its base in North Wales, Godfrey Group works with some of the UK’s most respected brands, including Darwin Escapes, Center Parcs, and Hoseasons, alongside housing associations such as Adra and Grwp Cynefin.
In the past year, the business achieved a major milestone: securing ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) accreditations. With targeted support from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), these certifications have strengthened the company’s credibility and opened doors to larger, national contracts. Director Louisa Godfrey shares how AGP’s expert guidance helped turn ambition into accreditations, driving competitive advantage.
What inspired the creation and growth of Godfrey Group?
My husband Andrew established Godfrey Group Facilities to bring high-quality building maintenance and professional commercial cleaning under one trusted, family-run brand. The leadership team now includes me, a former headteacher, and our daughter Laura, reflecting our people-first ethos and growth ambitions.
We set out to be the dependable partner clients can count on, combining the highest professional standards with a personal, family-run approach. That focus has taken us from our Welsh roots into England and now Scotland, with the business growing rapidly.
What were the biggest challenges in gaining three ISOs while scaling the business?
Consistency at pace. We were growing across multiple regions and service lines while building robust management systems. Aligning every site and team to high, auditable standards across quality, environmental, and health & safety meant reworking policies, tightening processes, and embedding accountability everywhere.
How did AGP help you secure ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 simultaneously?
AGP provided an external facilitator who mapped a single, structured plan for all three standards. They organised our documentation, guided best-practice implementation, and prepared us for audits, identifying gaps early so we could close them fast. Their support turned a complex project into a manageable, step-by-step programme. We couldn’t have done it without AGP.
Which elements of AGP support made the biggest difference?
We worked with an ISO-trained specialist to run a GAP analysis against each standard. They provided audit-readiness coaching that clarified expectations and built our team’s confidence. All of this was underpinned by sector-specific advice that kept everything practical for our clients across various industries.
What business impact has securing three ISO accreditations had so far?
They have bolstered our credibility and helped us win new contracts across Wales, England, and our first in Scotland. The certifications also strengthen our position in public-sector tenders, where compliance is critical. We’re seeing more qualified enquiries and smoother onboarding because clients trust our systems.
For example, our digital reporting now includes a tailored contract app with real-time data, giving managers and clients clear visibility, faster responses, and consistent quality. ISO 45001 has reinforced our safety culture, while ISO 14001 supports our environmental commitments and social value goals.
What does completing all three ISOs together represent for your team?
It’s proof that our family-run values can scale. We’ve shown we can grow nationally while staying meticulous on quality, sustainability, and safety. The process brought our teams together and gave us clear direction across every contract.
What advice would you give other businesses going through an ISO accreditation process?
Define the outcome up front, break the work into focused packages (through GAP analysis, documentation, and audit prep), and use the support available from programmes like AGP. Keep communication open and momentum high; act on feedback quickly and protect day-to-day service quality as you prepare.
What’s next for Godfrey Group now that you hold triple ISO accreditation?
We’re targeting larger national contracts and new sectors, using the ISO accreditations to position us well for competitive tenders. We’re expanding our technology stack, rolling out our app across more contracts and launching a new website to keep service delivery transparent, measurable, and responsive.
How would you summarise the support you received from AGP?
We wouldn’t have achieved any of this without the excellent support we’ve received from AGP, who helped us turn our laser-like focus on rigorous standards into a real-world competitive advantage. Through our partnership, we strengthened our operations, boosted tender success, and accelerated our growth with a clearer, safer, greener way of working.
Find out more about the Accelerated Growth Programme here.
Find out more about the Godfrey Group here.