South Tyneside based Risk Management

About Pentagon Assurance

Situated in the heart of South Tyneside, in the industry rich North East of England, Pentagon Assurance is more than a service provider – we're your trusted ally in navigating the complexities of Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards.

Our mission is to support businesses on their journey towards growth, development, and safety, all with a friendly and personalised touch.

Meet the Team

Our Guiding Principles

At the core of our approach are clearly defined processes and standards. These not only help businesses in meeting customer quality requirements but also play a crucial role in shaping the overall vision and mission of a company.

Our focus goes beyond compliance – we're here to help businesses mitigate risks, grow sustainably, and provide customers with the confidence of the highest quality products and services.

Certificate Pack 2025
South Tyneside

Pentagon Assurance's journey

Since our establishment in 2017, Pentagon Assurance has been dedicated to effective process improvement.

Our customers range from micro businesses and SME’s to large corporations, public entities, and charitable organisations.

We've built our reputation on providing consultancy services that help businesses achieve certification to ISO and other essential standards, delivering cost-effective, pragmatic, and focused outcomes.

  • 2017

    • Ideas session at the Walls End pub
    • Pentagon Assurance was founded 31st May
    • First retained QHSE client (Vanguard)
    • ROVCO founded and we qualify & support QHSE on first project
    • JDR Atex quality qualification of cable reelers
    • Interviewed for clients ISO 9001...didn't win it!
    • Formalised accredited project management training partnership
    • 1st full time employee (Shaun Hurn)
    • First successful UKAS certification audit

  • 2018

    • Futaba Major CDM project (Derbyshire)
    • APM PMQ delivered to RBS at Edinburgh HQ
    • IIRSM North East & Cumbria launched - Barry treasurer
    • Cummins major CDM Project (Peterborough) 
    • First water sector client accredited to UKAS ISO 9001
    • Coca-cola major CDM Project (Morpeth)
    • First bid writing project (UTS)
    • APM PMQ Red Rock Power at Edinburgh HQ
    • First Carter Cookson corporate event
    • Barry awarded fellowship of IIRSM
    • Registered OSHCR consultancy

  • 2019

    • Institute of water lecture on Project & Risk Management
    • APM PMQ 4c offshore (Great Yarmouth)
    • APM PMQ Fugro (The Hague)
    • Maysan Foods retained for Health & Safety 
    • APM PMQ BP at HQ Sunbury 
    • APM PMQ BP at Khazzan (Muscat, Oman)
    • HLA Services first UKAS ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 cert
    • The bakers hand in press incident...
    • APM PMQ Warley Parsons (Aberdeen)
    • Pharos offshore awarded first UKAS ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 cert
    • Dr Hydraulics factory relocation
    • The Bakers crate washer
    • 2nd Carter Cookson corporate event

  • 2020

    • Energy audit St. Mirren FC
    • March - Covid Lockdowns
    • IIRSM lecture on Project managing responding to Covid-19
    • CSD retained Health and Safety - BT Gosforth Exchange refurbishment 
    • Energy audit Wyboston Lakes Resort & ISO 9001 gap analysis
    • Energy audit Dundee V&A
    • Take S Mental Healthy campaign
    • Traffic Light armband Covid Operations Campaign
    • Confidence coach founded
    • Pentagon corporate sponsor of South Shields Golf Club

  • 2021

    • QHSE aduits & MGT sponsorship sessions HUSQVARNA UK
    • AR Power CDM support for Solar installations - Marsden School, Jarrow Business Centre
    • APM PMQ Balmoral water tanks
    • APM PMQ Costain (Birmingham)
    • First delivery of ECITB training (project controls)
    • Relocated to Hoults Yard from One Trinity Green
    • Classroom Training for Durham Constabulary (manual handling)
    • APM PMQ Tetra-Tech (Leeds)
    • APM PFQ on behalf of University of Cumbria
    • Incentivesmart first UKAS ISO 9001& 27001 cert

  • 2022

    • One of the first to sign South Tyneside Pledge
    • Employed first employee in line with pledge (Iyvann Ferguson)
    • Barry appointed chair of IIRSM North East & Cumbria
    • Viridor safety audits & risk assessments review (energy from waste and recycling with gauged solutions)
    • Wartsila major CDM project (Slough)
    • Dogger Bank transformer hall quality plans - Enerveo
    • AR Power Solar install major CDM & large array at BHK (Peterlee)
    • Relocated back to One Trinity Green and loved it!
    • Trench networks first UKAS ISO 9001 & 27001 cert

  • 2023

    • Project sponsorship training bio-energy group senior team
    • Equinor Quality plans for Johan Sverdrup AUU - Modus
    • First apprentice recruited - Keith Byrne QHSE admin
    • First Pentagon Charity golf day - raised £600 for Charlie & Carter Foundation
    • First sponsorship NUFC Women
    • APM PMQ training at Gleeds (Nottingham)
    • Able UK Site Health, Safety & Environmental Audits
    • NUFC corporate business club membership
    • Bought our own office!
    • First overseas contract with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Japan
    • Crown Packaging Major CDM project & project management
    • Novated all Jacksons Law Health & Safety
    • Modus AUV trails site (Port of Sunderland)

Personalised Solutions for Your Peace of Mind

Navigating the requirements of legislation, regulations and guidance can distract from your day to day tasks, but we're here to simplify the process.

We work closely with our clients to ensure full compliance with all requirements.

Contact us

Meet the Pentagon Assurance Team

Barry Cooper - Pentagon Team

Barry Cooper

DIRECTOR

Barry Cooper

Barry founded Pentagon Assurance in 2017 which was a lifelong ambition. He acted upon in hindsight with what was actually an act of madness in quitting a decent job with a 18 month old baby and a wife on maternity leave… a total coincidence of a milestone birthday approaching?! :-/

Barry brings over 25 years project management, engineering and manufacturing experience within the energy, offshore/subsea and construction sectors. The constant presence of change within all of those organisations developed his passion to support the delivery of change, using risk-based approaches with a hands on and pragmatic approach to problem solving with the privilege to do so around the world, including time living and working in places such as Brazil, Japan and Angola.

Outside of work Barry is very much family orientated and happiest in the outdoors hill walking and camping. He loves travelling, music, food and football.

“I’m an enormously proud of the team at Pentagon Assurance and how we’ve built a reputation for delivering excellence, whilst also building great relationships and being a fun place to work.

I’m driven to continue the success of Pentagon Assurance by supporting our clients and growing the business whilst also ensuring that we collaboratively benefit the wider communities we operate within.”

About me
Iyvann Ferguson - Pentagon Team

Iyvann Ferguson

QHSE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Iyvann Ferguson

Iyvann brings over 20 years of experience of working in the construction and manufacturing industry.

With a vast experience of implementation and maintenance of ISO Management Systems, Iyvann also supports clients through the process of achieving third party accreditations helping to ensure processes and procedures are developed to promote business improvement.

In 2021 Iyvann achieved the NEBOSH Certificate in Health and Safety and utilises her skills in the day-to-day operations of our team across functions of ISO and Health and Safety systems.

About me
Keith Byrne - Team

Keith Byrne

QHSE ADMINISTRATOR

Keith Byrne

Keith joined Pentagon Assurance in April 2023, new to the industry. Keith started his journey as a QHSE Administrator on a modern apprenticeship with Tyne Coast College, having enrolled on a Level 3 Business Administration qualification which he aims to achieve within 18 months. Keith is also studying towards his NEBOSH General Certificate to advance his knowledge in the Health and Safety Industry.

While completing these qualifications, Keith will be office-based supporting the team in their day-to-day roles, as well as administration support while on site at Pentagons clients.

Keith enjoys family days out and making memories, Keith stands by Pentagons Core Value of being Family Orientated. Pentagon Assurance understand the importance of family, they support and encourage quality time with family. Keith also has a passion for Retro gaming but is yet to convince Barry a Retro Arcade is essential for the office. Keith is also a fan of TV quizzes having appeared on two TV quiz shows.

Keith says he is delighted to be part of the Pentagon team, and very excited to see what the future holds. Keith brings a vast experience of customer service, procurement, and sales to the business and will utilise this to support the long-term growth of the business.

About me

Tailored programmes for your success

Our team collaborates with businesses to understand their unique needs, allowing us to tailor programmes specifically for them.

Whether it's integrating changed ways of working, understanding legal obligations, managing immediate health and safety challenges, we're here to provide support and confidence.

Contact us