Risk Evolves
Risk Evolves is a UK management consultancy founded in 2015 that helps small and medium-sized enterprises achieve ISO certifications, GDPR compliance, cyber security, and ESG standards, serving over 100 retained clients via a team of approximately 12 consultants. The firm was acquired by Barnett Waddingham, part of Howden, in June 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLeamington Spa, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Risk Evolves does
Risk Evolves Ltd is a UK private management consultancy, founded in 2015 by former IBM risk and compliance professional Helen Barge and headquartered in Leamington Spa. The firm specialises in governance, risk and compliance services for small and medium-sized enterprises, covering ISO certification (9001, 27001, 27701, 14001, 45001, 22301), GDPR and UK Data Protection Act compliance, Cyber Essentials and IASME Governance certification, health and safety, ESG and EcoVadis advisory, risk management, supply chain assurance, and M&A transition support, complemented by training and education programmes.
The company's technical foundation is not software but codified methodology built on internationally recognised management standards, augmented by proprietary service frameworks such as a five-step IASME Governance certification process, a "GDPR Critical Friend" retainer, "Bitesize Risk Management" content, and a flexible monthly "Compliance as a Service" package. Service delivery is consultant-led, blending remote work with on-site client visits across the UK, supported by an in-house team of approximately 12 qualified practitioners including Cyber Essentials Plus Assessors.
The business model is professional-services revenue: project-based consulting fees for certification projects, multi-year ISO surveillance engagements, and recurring monthly retainers. GTM is sales-led, primarily inbound from content marketing (blog, webinars, free resources), LinkedIn, and word-of-mouth referrals from professional partners such as the Road Haulage Association and HR Dept. Risk Evolves reached over 100 retained clients across diverse UK sectors and claims tenfold revenue growth in its first three years. In June 2025, the firm was acquired by Barnett Waddingham, part of Howden, and is being integrated into the Howden Risk Advisory team, with the independent website scheduled to close.
Risk Evolves firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Risk Evolves
- Legal name
- Risk Evolves Ltd
- Website
- https://riskevolves.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Risk Evolves is a UK management consultancy founded in 2015 that helps small and medium-sized enterprises achieve ISO certifications, GDPR compliance, cyber security, and ESG standards, serving over 100 retained clients via a team of approximately 12 consultants. The firm was acquired by Barnett Waddingham, part of Howden, in June 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Risk Evolves industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Risk and Compliance Consulting
- akta.pro primary industry
- Risk Management Consulting (Enterprise & Operational Risk) (FSAEADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Risk Management (Enterprise, Operational, Model) (EDABAJAF), Insider Threat Program Design & Risk Assessments (BPAKADAM), Supply Chain & Operational Resilience Analytics (Supplier Risk, Business Continuity, Logistics Disruption) (EUABALAI)
Keywords
Where Risk Evolves is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leamington Spa
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Risk Evolves business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Management Consulting Services: Risk Evolves provides professional consulting services for governance, risk, and compliance. Services include supporting organizations with ISO certification, data protection and GDPR compliance, cyber security, health and safety, risk management, ESG, training, acquisition and mergers support, and supply chain management. The firm works with clients across the UK, delivering projects through experienced consultants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | IASME Governance Certification |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Risk Evolves product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Risk Evolves is a UK management consultancy that advises small and medium-sized enterprises on governance, risk, and compliance. It delivers nine service lines — Data Protection and GDPR, ISO Certification, Cyber Security, Health and Safety, Risk Management, ESG, Training and Education, Acquisition and Mergers, and Supply Chain Management — typically through project-based engagements and a flexible monthly Compliance as a Service retainer, with consultants acting as an extension of the client's team.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
- ISO Certification
- Cyber Security
- Health and Safety
- Risk Management
- Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
- Training and Education
- Acquisition and Mergers
- Supply Chain Management
- Compliance as a Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 10x revenue growth in 3 years for Risk Evolves
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Risk Evolves
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Risk Evolves technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Risk Evolves partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ISO Quality Services Limited (ISO QSL)coreISO QSL audits Risk Evolves' implemented ISO management systems, providing independent third-party assessment. They specialize in non-accredited certification, offering a faster, more flexible alternative to accredited routes like UKAS or INAB. This partnership enables Risk Evolves to provide end-to-end ISO certification support to clients.
- Governance360minorRisk Evolves partners with Governance360, a complete governance system that helps volunteer and SME boards avoid the dangers of poor governance by offering comprehensive tools that manage risk, increase accountability and upskill board members.
- HR DeptminorRisk Evolves partners with HR Dept Bristol for expert HR support and cost-effective outsourced HR solutions for businesses of all sizes. HR Dept provides first-class HR partner support and growing international network enabling new era of outsourced HR support.
- NQA (National Quality Assurance)coreNQA is Risk Evolves' certification body for ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 standards. NQA certified Risk Evolves as the first UK client for ISO 27701:2019 privacy information management standard. Risk Evolves was also the first NQA client to certify to ISO 27701.
- The HR Dept South WarwickshireminorProvided HR support to Notedome and recommended Risk Evolves for compliance consulting services.
- Dafferns AccountantsminorSupported Notedome with HR and Finance functions during CEO transition.
- Road Haulage Association (RHA)minorRecommended Risk Evolves to Jays Transport for EcoVadis assessment and ISO 9001 certification support.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Risk Evolves competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Vanta: SaaS compliance automation platform for ISO, SOC 2, and other frameworks. Emerging competitor whose automation approach disrupts traditional compliance consultancies like Risk Evolves by handling much of the audit prep at fraction of the cost.
- Drata: SaaS compliance automation platform automating security and compliance audits. Emerging competitor that could erode the SME segment of the traditional compliance consultancy model that Risk Evolves operates in.
- Secureframe: SaaS compliance automation platform for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and other frameworks. Emerging competitor to Risk Evolves' traditional consulting model, increasingly addressing the same SME buyer with tech-enabled delivery.
Broad incumbents
- BSI (British Standards Institution): Global standards body and certification services provider offering ISO certification and broader assurance services. Established incumbent in the standards/compliance space that Risk Evolves operates within, with overlapping capability set as part of a wider portfolio.
- PwC UK: Big 4 professional services firm with risk and compliance consulting practice serving mid-market and enterprise clients. Broad incumbent that competes for similar engagements at the upper end of the GRC advisory market.
- NCC Group: UK-based cyber security consultancy offering risk advisory, compliance, and managed security services. Broad incumbent with substantial overlap to Risk Evolves' cyber security and ISO 27001 consulting practices.
Direct peers
- IT Governance: UK-based consultancy offering data protection, cyber security, and ISO consulting services. Directly competes with Risk Evolves for SME clients needing similar GRC and certification support, with overlapping service lines and customer base.
- QMS International: UK-based ISO certification and quality management consultancy serving SME clients. Directly comparable to Risk Evolves' core ISO certification offerings with similar geographic focus and customer type.
- ISO Quality Services (ISO QSL): UK-based ISO certification body and partner of Risk Evolves. Comparable as a UK ISO consultancy serving the SME market with non-accredited certification routes similar to Risk Evolves' offerings.
- Citation: UK HR and compliance support provider offering ISO certification, HR, and H&S services to SMEs. Direct competitor in the SME compliance market with similar sales-led GTM and bundled service approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Risk Evolves social profiles
Digital presenceRisk Evolves financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Risk Evolves leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Risk Evolves funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Risk Evolves M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Risk Evolves
What does Risk Evolves do?
Risk Evolves is a UK management consultancy that advises small and medium-sized enterprises on governance, risk, and compliance. It delivers nine service lines — Data Protection and GDPR, ISO Certification, Cyber Security, Health and Safety, Risk Management, ESG, Training and Education, Acquisition and Mergers, and Supply Chain Management — typically through project-based engagements and a flexible monthly Compliance as a Service retainer, with consultants acting as an extension of the client's team.
Is Risk Evolves a public or private company?
Risk Evolves is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Risk Evolves founded?
Risk Evolves was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Risk Evolves based?
Risk Evolves is headquartered in Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Risk Evolves make money?
One revenue line is on record: management Consulting Services.
Who are Risk Evolves's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Vanta, Drata and Secureframe. Broad incumbents are BSI (British Standards Institution), PwC UK and NCC Group. Direct peers are IT Governance, QMS International, ISO Quality Services (ISO QSL) and Citation.
Does Risk Evolves have an API?
No public API is recorded for Risk Evolves.
What industry is Risk Evolves in?
Risk Evolves's product category is Risk and Compliance Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEADAG, Risk Management Consulting (Enterprise & Operational Risk), with a secondary code of EDABAJAF, Risk Management (Enterprise, Operational, Model).