Thorn Baker Group: Thorn Baker Achieves CHAS

We’re proud to share that Thorn Baker has once again achieved CHAS Elite accreditation for 2026–27 - a recognised gold standard for compliance across the UK supply chain.

But this isn’t just a badge. It’s a clear signal to our clients, partners, and candidates that we operate to the highest standards across every part of our business.

And it’s one of a number of accreditations and credentials we hold that, together, demonstrate our ongoing commitment to quality, compliance, and doing things the right way.

What is CHAS Elite - and why does it matter?

CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) is one of the UK’s leading compliance and risk management accreditation bodies.

CHAS Elite goes beyond standard health and safety checks. It’s an advanced level of accreditation that assesses businesses across 13 key areas of risk management, including:

Health & Safety
Environmental practices
Quality management
Financial & Business Standing
Modern slavery and ethical labour standards
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Mental Health & Wellbeing

For businesses operating in construction and the wider built environment, this level of scrutiny is becoming the norm — not the exception.

Raising the bar in supply chain compliance

Across the industry, expectations are shifting - main contractors and their clients are under increasing pressure to ensure every part of their supply chain is fully compliant, transparent, and accountable. That means working with partners who can demonstrate robust processes, not just talk about them - and CHAS Elite provides that reassurance.

It’s why many of the UK’s leading contractors, including organisations like Balfour Beatty, Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey, VINCI, and Vistry Group require this level of accreditation as a minimum standard for working relationships.

In many cases, without it, you simply don’t get through the door.

More than compliance - it’s risk protection

For our clients, CHAS Elite isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about reducing risk. In an environment where scrutiny around employment practices, payroll compliance, and supply chain responsibility is only increasing, working with a fully accredited partner helps to:

Protect against non-compliant labour practices
Reduce exposure to financial and legal risk
Strengthen audit readiness
Provide confidence across internal stakeholders

From commercial and procurement teams through to HR, compliance, and leadership, this is an accreditation that resonates across the entire business.

A powerful advantage for our clients

For Thorn Baker, maintaining CHAS Elite status reflects the way we already operate:

Robust compliance processes embedded into every placement
Transparent, ethical supply chain practices
Ongoing audits and continuous improvement
A proactive approach to risk management

It also strengthens our ability to support clients - whether that’s winning new work, passing audits, or protecting existing contracts.

Because when compliance standards are high, your recruitment partner matters more than ever.

Looking ahead

As regulation tightens and expectations continue to rise, accreditations like CHAS Elite will only become more important.

For us, it’s simple, we’re committed to staying ahead of that curve, so our clients don’t have to worry about what sits behind it.

Need a recruitment partner that ticks every compliance box - properly? Let’s talk - www.thornbaker.co.uk/contact-us