Never Stop Learning: Why CPD is Your Business's Best Investment

Adam Fox • 12 June 2024

You are not just investing in individual employees but in the future of your business

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business, the importance of Continual Professional Development (CPD) cannot be overstated. As both a business coach and the co-owner of Consulo Compliance, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of CPD on business growth, safety, and compliance. CPD is not merely an educational tool; it is one of the best investments a business can make, pivotal for nurturing adaptability, ensuring safety, and meeting regulatory demands.


The Value of CPD in Business Growth


CPD enables business owners and their employees to enhance their skills continually and stay abreast of industry innovations and shifts. In an age where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt swiftly and effectively sets successful businesses apart from the rest. CPD fosters this adaptability by keeping your skills and knowledge up to date, allowing your business to navigate new challenges and seize opportunities.


For instance, a tech company that regularly invests in CPD for its staff in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence is often better positioned to incorporate these innovations into its operations, gaining a competitive edge in the market.


CPD and Enhancing Safety in the Workplace


In terms of safety, the benefits of CPD are clear and compelling. Regular training and development in health, safety, and compliance significantly reduce the risk of workplace accidents and health hazards. By staying current with the latest safety protocols and procedures, businesses can protect their employees and avoid costly legal issues.


I recall a particularly telling instance at Consulo Compliance when a routine CPD session on workplace safety protocols helped identify a potential risk area in our own operations that had previously gone unnoticed. By addressing this proactively, we not only averted possible incidents but also strengthened our team’s trust in our commitment to their well-being.


CPD as a Tool for Compliance


Compliance with industry regulations is not just about avoiding fines; it's about building a sustainable and reputable business. CPD ensures that your organisation remains in line with the latest laws and regulations, which can change frequently. Regular training sessions help demystify these regulations, making it easier for everyone to understand their individual role in improving safety and implement new procedures and protocols.


For example, in the construction industry, where safety and compliance regulations are particularly stringent, CPD programmes that keep staff informed about the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines can be the difference between a project delivered safely on time and one that is riddled with dangerous occurrences and incurs significant financial penalties and delays.


The Impact of CPD on Employee Engagement and Retention


Investing in your employees' growth not only equips them with the necessary skills but also signals that you value their contribution and career progression. This can significantly enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. Indeed, studies have shown that organisations that invest in CPD have higher employee retention rates.


Employees often report feeling more competent and confident in their roles following CPD training. This not only enhances their productivity but also fosters a positive workplace culture where continuous improvement is valued and encouraged.

Implementing an Effective CPD Program


Starting a CPD programme involves several key steps:


1 . Setting Clear Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your CPD programme. This could be improving specific skills, staying updated with industry trends, or ensuring compliance with new regulations.

2 . Choosing Relevant Courses: Select courses that meet the needs of your business and your employees. These could range from online seminars to in-person workshops or even ongoing university courses.

3 . Evaluating Outcomes: Regularly assess the effectiveness of your CPD activities. Are they meeting your goals? Are employees applying what they learn?


It’s also crucial to anticipate challenges, such as time constraints or budget limitations, and plan accordingly. Offering flexible learning options, such as e-learning, can help overcome some of these hurdles.


Conclusion


CPD is an essential element of modern business strategy, not just for maintaining compliance and safety but for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. As businesses continue to navigate a world where change is the norm, the role of continual learning in driving success and competitiveness cannot be ignored.


I encourage all business leaders to invest in CPD as a priority. By doing so, you are not just investing in individual employees but in the future of your business. If you are unsure where to start or how to improve your existing CPD efforts, seeking expert guidance is a great first step towards getting you on the right path.


by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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