Dawid Hetmanczyk

From Web Developer to Board Member

Axia Digital is pleased to announce that at yesterday’s Board meeting, Dawid Hetmanczyk was invited to become a Director of the company and appointed Technical Director.

Dawid joined Axia in September 2014 as a Web Developer and has undertaken a wide range of roles and responsibilities during his time with the company, most recently serving as Development Team Leader. Over recent years he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical insight and commitment as Axia has evolved through a significant period of transition following Chris Peat’s retirement and the subsequent appointment of Richard Etheridge to the Managing Director’s role.

Dawid has played an important role in supporting the continued development of the company, our platform and our customers. We’re delighted to welcome him to the Board of Directors in his new role as Technical Director.

Congratulations Dawid on this well deserved recognition.

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We’re pleased to announce that Axia Digital is now a registered trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office (Registration No. UK00004208093). This milestone marks an important step in protecting both our brand identity and the reputation we’ve built over more than two decades of delivering trusted digital solutions across education, healthcare, and professional training.

Our trademark was approved under three Classes: 9, 41, and 42. Each Class represents a different aspect of the work we do, from the software we develop to the training and consultancy services we provide. Together, these reflect the full range of our services and expertise.

Class 9 – Computer Software

Class 9 covers the digital systems we design and develop for our customers. This includes our bespoke e-portfolio, assessment, and professional development systems which are used by education providers and professional bodies both inside and outside of the UK. The inclusion of this Class ensures that our technology products are protected under the Axia Digital name, reinforcing our commitment to deliver high-quality, purpose-built solutions.

Class 41 – Provision of Online Training and Education Services

Class 41 relates to education, training, and professional development services. This reflects our work in supporting organisations to deliver and manage assessment, learning, and accreditation processes online. Our systems support programmes across a wide range of sectors, helping educators, mentors, and learners track progress, reflect on practice, and evidence achievements.

Class 42 – Software as a Service (SaaS)

Class 42 covers the design, development, and implementation of software and digital systems. This represents our consultancy and technical expertise, working closely with customers to understand their assessment methodologies, translate them into digital workflows, and develop and maintain systems that evolve with their needs. Protection under this Class reinforces Axia as a trusted provider of secure, flexible, and tailored solutions.

What This Means for Axia Digital

With this trademark now formally secured, we’ve a stronger foundation from which to continue growing as a company and serving our customers’ needs. It allows our brand to evolve with confidence while ensuring that the work, expertise, and relationships we’ve built over the years are clearly recognised and protected.

To explore how we could support your next project, please get in touch with us today or browse our Customers page for examples of our work.

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Axia Digital is proud to have partnered with the University of Warwick’s Centre for Teacher Education (CTE) to deliver a new digital solution designed to support the assessment and progress tracking of primary, secondary, and international PGCE trainees.

Following a successful competitive tender in early 2024, the Axia team collaborated closely with the CTE to create a custom a platform which meets the complex needs of teacher training programmes.

About the Platform

The system streamlines assessment, portfolio creation, and real-time progress monitoring – replacing spreadsheets and manual processes with a centralised, user-friendly interface. Key features include a custom-built Collaborative Assessment Document, flexible role-based dashboards, and built-in reporting tools for programme leads. The system also accommodates dynamic mentor assignments and varying course requirements across PGCE tracks.

This fully web-based solution is accessible across devices, making it ideal for fast-paced, practice-based learning environments. The Warwick project adds to Axia Digital’s growing portfolio of solutions that support students and staff across higher education.

Feedback and Reflections

As the first year of rollout ends, feedback from trainees, general mentors, and CTE staff has been overwhelmingly positive.

Richard Etheridge, Axia Digital’s Managing Director, said:

“As the husband of a primary school teacher, I’ve long believed our solutions could support student teachers in capturing meaningful evidence from their workplace experience. We were delighted to win the Warwick tender. Teachers do an incredible job educating our children – they work hard and long hours. If our platform can simplify the assessment process, we help ensure the focus remains where it matters: developing the student teacher and supporting their pupils.”

Abigail Ball MA, PCTHE, SFHEA, SCMALT, Assistant Professor: Head of Technology Enhanced Learning, in CTE added:

“Working with Axia has been a pleasure. From the outset they have been professional and responsive. They have taken the time to understand our needs and worked collaboratively with us to develop a bespoke platform that enables us to manage our PGCE Professional Practice module effectively and efficiently. Feedback from trainees, mentors and CTE staff has been universally positive with one lead mentor commenting that it is ‘really good to have all this information at our fingertips.’ Max and the team are approachable and really want to find a solution that works for us.”

Learn More

To learn more about our work with the University of Warwick, read the case study. Alternatively, to enquire about our other solutions, get in touch today.

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We’re proud to share the launch of a new digital resource developed in collaboration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and NHS England: the Greener Pharmacy Toolkit.

This site helps pharmacy teams across England reduce their environmental impact, offering practical advice and examples of sustainable initiatives that are already making a difference in the sector. Whether it’s reducing medicine waste, improving energy usage, or rethinking supply chains, the toolkit provides a clear framework which teams can adapt to their own setting.

Greener Pharmacy Toolkit Login Page

A Partnership Focused on Impact

This project builds on our longstanding partnership with RPS and adds to the list of solutions which we’ve developed with them. Like those solutions, the Greener Pharmacy Toolkit is built using our NOW.net platform, allowing for flexible updates, user-friendly design, and the ability to scale as new content as needed.

Professor Claire Anderson, President of RPS commented on the toolkit, stating:

“This free to access and easy to use toolkit will help hospital and community pharmacies across the country to promote sustainable practice and reduce their environmental impact. It’s another step in our strong commitment to enabling more sustainable pharmacy services.”

Minna Eii, RPS lead on the Greener Pharmacy Toolkit also commented:

“This pioneering resource is the first-ever toolkit to help pharmacy teams reduce their carbon footprint and a real step forward in using technology to improve practice and patient care. It’s backed by a wealth of expertise and the stages of accreditation make it the ideal starting point for those who want to reduce their environmental impacts but don’t know where to start, as well as driving improvements for teams already on that journey.”

Putting Digital Tools to Work

At Axia Digital, we’re passionate about building solutions that not only inform, but empower action, and this toolkit does just that. We’re proud to have supported RPS and NHS England in turning an important national strategy into something practical, accessible, and ready to use. If your organisation is looking to deliver guidance or resources in a way that’s interactive, engaging, and purpose-built, get in touch with us today. Alternatively, explore the toolkit and learn more about the launch here.

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We’re proud to announce that we have once again passed our ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 audits. Since first achieving certification in 2019, we’ve maintained the highest standards in quality management and information security, ensuring that our systems continue to be secure, reliable, and built with excellence in mind. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality solutions while safeguarding the data of our users.

With organisations relying on our systems to manage sensitive data and support large-scale operations, it’s vital that we meet internationally recognised standards. Re-certification confirms that we’re doing just that, and our customers can continue to work with us with full confidence. Learn more about our other certifications and awards here.

What Our Certifications Mean

These certifications aren’t just checkboxes – they represent the processes and values that underpin everything we build. From custom e-assessment tools for higher education, to nationwide professional development systems, we take a rigorous, structured approach to quality and security at every stage of development.

ISO 9001 – Quality Management

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. It ensures that organisations consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements through well-defined processes, continuous improvement, and a strong customer focus. At Axia, this certification reflects our structured approach to delivering high-quality digital solutions which are designed, developed, and supported with consistency, transparency, and accountability.

ISO 27001 – Information Security Management

ISO 27001 is the global standard for information security management systems. It sets out the requirements for establishing, maintaining, and continually improving how an organisation manages sensitive data. Our certification demonstrates that we have robust controls in place to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information held within our systems, giving customers peace of mind that their data is handled securely and responsibly.

More information about ISO can be found on their website, and links to our certificates can be found below:

• ISO 9001 Certificate
• ISO 27001 Certificate

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On the 10th of April 2024, we were delighted to hear that we had been awarded the Certificate of Assurance from Cyber Essentials. This was subsequently followed up on the 16th of April with a Certificate of Assurance award from Cyber Essentials Plus. The achievement of these certifications demonstrates our commitment to implementing essential cybersecurity controls to protect our systems and data from common online threats. Additionally, these recognitions provide our customers with added confidence that we take data protection seriously and continuously work to safeguard their information against evolving cyber risks.

What is Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?

Cyber Essentials is a government backed security scheme that was created to protect organisations from all kinds of cyber attacks. It includes a self-assessment process which addresses many of the most common online threats that organisations should be aware of.

More About Our Accreditations

Visit our accreditations page to view our other certificates and awards, including internationally recognised standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 27001 for information security. You’ll also find details of recent industry awards that reflect our commitment to excellence, security, and innovation.

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On the 8th of March 2024, we were pleased to welcome Ben Frisby from Atlas for our annual ISO 27001 re-certification audit, which was conducted online. Representing Axia Digital during this process were Managing Director Richard Etheridge, Development Team Leader Dawid Hetmanczyk, and Business Support Officer Thomas Duke.

We received our audit report just a few days later and are proud to share the results: 30 positive observations and zero rectifications required. This excellent outcome confirms our continued commitment to robust information security practices and maintaining the highest standards set by ISO 27001.

Our certificate can be viewed here.

Successful Observation Areas

Core

The audit highlighted strong performance in the core areas of planning, risk management and operations. Our approach to identifying and addressing potential risks continues to be proactive and well-documented, ensuring that our systems and processes remain secure and resilient. Operationally, we’ve maintained consistent procedures that support the secure delivery of our services, helping us meet both internal objectives and customer expectations with confidence.

Support

In the support category, we received positive feedback for our practices in leadership, training and competence, monitoring and measurement, and document management. This reflects our focus on building a well-informed and capable team, supported by clearly defined documentation and effective oversight. These processes ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities, stay up to date with relevant policies, and contribute actively to our culture of continuous improvement.

Management

Our Information Security Management System (ISMS) was found to be robust, with no gaps across key areas such as policy implementation, corrective actions, internal auditing, and management review. The audit recognised that we not only maintain comprehensive policies, but also regularly assess and enhance them through structured audits and reviews. This reflects our commitment to not just maintaining compliance, but actively evolving our practices to meet changing security challenges.

Statement of Applicability

This section of the audit covered 23 control areas – all of which were successfully met. These included controls around access and asset management, cryptography, system development, and supplier relationships, as well as key operational areas such as physical security, communications, and incident response. Our ability to meet these requirements demonstrates that our security controls are deeply embedded across all parts of the organisation, supporting business continuity and compliance at every level.

Other Certifications and Awards

From international standards to industry recognition, we’re proud of the benchmarks we continue to meet. To learn more about our other certifications and awards, visit our Accreditations page.

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On February 7th 2024, we were pleased to learn that Axia Digital has once again passed its ISO 9001 audit with flying colours. This certification reaffirms our ongoing dedication to delivering high-quality digital solutions and maintaining effective processes across all areas of our organisation.

Our external audits are conducted by Atlas (formerly QMS), a trusted partner who specialises in helping organisations demonstrate and sustain ISO compliance. Their rigorous assessments ensure that our systems not only meet international quality standards, but also continuously improve and evolve.

Our certificate can be viewed here.

Highlights from the Audit

This year’s audit resulted in 9 positive observations, recognising strengths across planning, support, operations, and performance evaluation. The observations were as follows.

Planning: Quality Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them

Our quality objectives are clearly defined, measurable, and aligned with the needs of both our customers and our team. We were recognised for our structured approach to planning, which ensures these objectives are not only documented, but actively pursued through regular reviews and practical implementation strategies.

Support: Competence and Awareness

The audit highlighted our commitment to maintaining a knowledgeable and capable team. Our processes for ensuring staff competence, from recruitment through ongoing development, are robust, and team members clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Awareness of our quality objectives and how individual roles contribute to them was particularly commended.

Operation: Requirements for Products and Services

We consistently demonstrate a thorough understanding of customer requirements. From initial discussions through to final delivery, our methods for capturing, reviewing, and implementing customer needs ensure that each solution meets the agreed specifications and expectations.

Operation: Control of Externally Provided Products, Processes, and Services

Our systems for managing third-party providers are effective and transparent. We apply the same high standards to our suppliers and external partners as we do to our internal operations, ensuring quality is maintained throughout the supply chain.

Operation: Release of Products and Services

Before any system or service is delivered to a client, it undergoes a clear and documented release process. This includes appropriate checks and sign-offs to ensure the solution is fully functional, meets quality expectations, and is ready for use.

Operation: Control of Nonconforming Outputs

We have strong measures in place for identifying and addressing nonconforming outputs. These procedures help us respond swiftly when issues arise, minimising disruption for users and ensuring that problems are resolved efficiently.

Performance Evaluation: Customer Satisfaction

Customer feedback is central to how we evaluate and improve our work. We were commended for actively seeking input from users and customers, and for using this feedback to guide updates, improvements, and enhancements to our systems.

Performance Evaluation: Internal Audit

Our internal audit process is structured and thorough. Regular reviews help ensure compliance with our own procedures and with ISO standards, and we use audit findings constructively to strengthen our operations.

Performance Evaluation: Management Reviews

Management reviews at Axia are detailed and action-oriented. These sessions provide leadership with insight into performance trends, opportunities for improvement, and progress against strategic goals, ensuring that quality remains a central focus of our decision-making.

Looking Ahead

Passing this audit is more than a box-ticking exercise. It demonstrates that our systems are structured to consistently meet the needs of our customers while encouraging a culture of ongoing improvement which, as a company that develops continuous professional development solutions, is something that we actively promote both in the solutions we deliver and in the way we operate as a business.

To learn more about our other certifications and awards, visit our Accreditations page.

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In February, we delightedly announced an expansion of our MyCAD programme. We initially implemented the programme for Atlantic Technological University (ATU), primarily for their campus based in Letterkenny, Donegal. However, we have now also rolled this out to Munster Technological University (MTU) for their main campus, situated in Cork.

A Little About ATU & MTU

ATU is located mainly in Western and Northwestern Ireland. It was established in 2022 as part of a merger of three existing technological institutions. Along with the Letterkenny campus, there are six other campus sites in Ireland including Galway, Sligo, and the town of Castlebar in County Mayo.

MTU also has six campus locations throughout the counties of Cork and Kerry. This university was established in 2021 as part of a merger between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Tralee Institute of Technology. It is estimated to accommodate over 18,000 students as well as over 2,000 staff.

What is MyCAD?

MyCAD is the first digital version of the National Competency Assessment Document (NCAD), and the first to be implemented on Irish soil. Within the online assessment, universities can keep track of information such as a student’s placement and attendance.

In April 2023, Axia, along with the Department of Nursing at the ATU Donegal campus and the HSE received an award for the Best Industry / Business Academic Collaboration for our work implementing the system. An article about the award can be found here.

Summary of Changes Made

We wanted to simplify things for preceptors at both universities. To do this, we built a centralised sign in tool. This allows preceptors who already have an account to access either site using just one logon. Doing this removes the need for preceptors to have separate accounts for each institution.

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We’re delighted to share that the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement (PER) team has been recognised internally with a Top Hat Award. This award is presented annually to individuals and teams whose work aligns with the association’s core values and makes a meaningful contribution to the business. The PER team’s win is a testament to their excellent work.

At Axia Digital, we take pride in building digital solutions that have real impact. While we’re always pleased to receive industry recognition ourselves, it’s just as rewarding to see the teams we collaborate with celebrated for their work. This recognition from ACCA is a perfect example.

Streamlining the Practical Experience Requirement

In summer 2023, we worked closely with the PER team to enhance the system, bringing in changes to help streamline the process and ensure the rigour of the ACCA qualification. Most notably, sustainability has been embedded into the performance objectives, encouraging users to reflect on and document their contribution to sustainable finance. Additionally, the PER recording tool received a streamlined refresh, simplifying navigation and making it faster and more intuitive to log and manage practical experience entries.

These updates not only support ACCA’s commitment to real-world relevance, but also make the system easier to use, helping trainees focus on meaningful insights and progress. More details about these changes can be found here.

Development Team Leader, Dawid Hetmanczyk

Reflecting on this, Axia Digital’s Managing Director, Richard Etheridge, shared:

“When we won the tender for the development of the PER tool in 2015, we were both delighted and to a degree overawed by the scale and complexity of the task we had been contracted to deliver. It was by far the largest project we had ever worked on in terms of scale and the amount of data we were processing. There are now over a million trainee accountants using the site from across the world.”

As part of the internal celebrations, members of the ACCA PER team received a symbolic addition to their staff lanyards: a miniature top hat. Fittingly, our own Development Team Leader, who led the project from Axia’s side, was also gifted a real top hat in recognition of the collaborative achievement. Congratulations again to the PER team. We’re proud to have played a role in supporting your success.

Learn more about our work with ACCA here.

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