Kitemark scores a Superbrand hat trick
Press release - 24 February 2010
For the third successive year, BSI Kitemark, one of the country’s most widely recognised and respected indicators of quality, has achieved the accolade of being listed in the prestigious Top 500 Business Superbrands chart. This year Kitemark, which was evaluated in the Support Services – Associations and Accreditations category, was placed 170 in the chart overall.
Kitemark schemes are available for a wide range of products and services. They are operated by BSI, which also achieved a Business Superbrands listing in its own right, at number 216. BSI’s global business services help organisations improve their performance, manage risk and make their operations sustainable, and its activities include the assessment, testing and certification of management systems, products and services including Kitemark. BSI is also the UK’s National Standards Body.
The Kitemark provides reliable independent confirmation that the most stringent standards for safety and quality have been met. Its origins go back well over a century to 1903 and, over the intervening years, it has become almost universally recognised not only in industry and commerce, but also by the British public. It was first listed as a Business Superbrand in 2008.
“Our appearance for the third year in a row in the Superbrands Listing is further confirmation of the Kitemark’s status as the leader among certification schemes,” said Claire Lynam, Head of Communications & Alliances for BSI. “However, we are never tempted to rest on our laurels. We are continuing to invest in and promote the Kitemark, thereby increasing its scope and its value both to Kitemark licensees, and to those that rely on it for sound guidance when purchasing or specifying products and services.”
Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the expert council and CEO, The Centre for Brand Analysis, said: “Congratulations to Kitemark and BSI on achieving Business Superbrands status. In this economic climate a powerful brand is more important than ever. It can be a key driver of new and repeat business and a positive influence on stakeholders, ranging from employees to suppliers. As such the results of this survey are not only interesting but ultimately useful in understanding the perception the market has of these brands, and therefore their likely potency and financial success.”
Superbrand listings are achieved only after a stringent and searching selection process. This is independently administered by The Centre for Brand Analysis, and takes into account the views of a voluntary Expert Council, as well as those of over 1,700 individual business executives from across the UK. Each year, the selection process considers thousands of brands in 50 categories, before the final 500 are decided upon. Brands cannot pay or apply to be considered for selection.
