LRQA's story began in 1985, established as the Business Assurance & Inspection Services division of Lloyd's Register (LR), an organization with a rich maritime heritage dating back to 1760. Initially focused on management systems, LRQA carved out a niche for itself, helping businesses navigate the complexities of compliance and quality assurance. Over the decades, the risk landscape has evolved dramatically, and so has LRQA. What started as a division primarily centered on auditing health and safety risks and delivering standard products transformed significantly, especially after attracting private equity investment in 2021 from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This pivotal moment marked LRQA's transition into an independent business, poised for expansion as a major digitally enabled assurance provider.
Under the leadership of CEO Ian Spaulding, who took the helm of the parent company following the acquisition of his firm, ELEVATE, in April 2022, LRQA has embraced a strategy of innovation and rapid growth. The company has broadened its scope considerably, moving beyond traditional compliance to become a comprehensive risk management partner. Today, LRQA stands as a leading global assurance provider, bringing together decades of expertise in assessment, advisory, inspection, and cybersecurity services. Operating in more than 150 countries with a team of over 5,000 specialists, LRQA serves more than 61,000 clients across nearly every sector. Their focus is on helping businesses anticipate, mitigate, and manage risk in an increasingly complex world, leveraging data-driven insights and a forward-thinking approach to 'Assurance 4.0'. This involves a commitment to shaping a better future by supporting clients in building safer, more secure, and more sustainable operations, addressing critical areas like ESG, supply chain resilience, and cybersecurity.