Sam Yates Becomes an NRAC Auditor: What It Means for Inclusive Design and for GRD
We’re proud to share that Sam Yates, Associate Access Consultant with GRD:EDI, has successfully achieved NRAC Auditor accreditation — a recognised mark of quality and professionalism in the UK for access consultancy and inclusive design.
But what exactly is NRAC, why does it matter, and why is it so valuable for our clients and projects?
What Is the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC)?
The National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) is the only UK-wide accreditation for professionals who provide access consultancy and access auditing services. It was established to create a trusted register of people with proven expertise in accessibility and inclusive design, backed by government support and recognised across the built environment industry.
Becoming an NRAC member means a professional has passed a rigorous assessment, including evidence submission and a formal panel interview. It confirms a deep understanding of legislation, technical guidance, and user needs in accessible design.
What Does an NRAC Auditor Do?
An NRAC Auditor assesses existing and proposed environments to identify access barriers and highlight areas for improvement. This includes reviewing:
Legal compliance under the Equality Act 2010
Adherence to best practice guidance
Practical usability for a wide range of users
Recommendations that are clear, proportionate and achievable
Auditors provide objective evaluations to help clients and design teams make environments more inclusive and compliant.
Why This Qualification Matters
Becoming an NRAC Auditor is more than just a personal milestone — it’s a sign of recognised competence and accountability.
NRAC members are expected to follow a professional code of practice, maintain ongoing CPD, and hold professional indemnity insurance. For clients, it means working with someone whose advice is:
Technically sound and up to date
Legally grounded and risk aware
Focused on real-world usability, not just compliance
Having an NRAC Auditor on board gives reassurance that access considerations are being handled to the highest standard.
What Sam Says
We’re really proud of the work Sam has done to achieve this milestone, and we’re equally proud to have supported him in the process. In his own words:
“The work opportunities provided by GRD, along with Richard’s mentoring over the last year were essential in helping me achieve my NRAC accreditation. I am hoping that the qualification will unlock more opportunities to work on more projects together in 2026.”
This kind of growth is at the heart of GRD’s values — supporting our people so they can deliver more for our clients.
What This Means for GRD and Our Clients
Sam’s accreditation strengthens GRD’s offer in inclusive design and access consultancy. It enhances our ability to:
Deliver expert access audits and inclusion strategies
Support planning applications and design reviews with confidence
Provide clients with trusted advice that meets and exceeds industry expectations
It also shows our ongoing commitment to quality, learning, and making the built environment better for everyone.
Looking Ahead
As Sam continues to contribute to projects across education, commercial and public sectors, his NRAC Auditor status adds value to everything we deliver as a team.
If you’re planning a project and want to embed inclusive design from the start, get in touch with GRD:EDI to see how we can support you.
📧 richard@grdgroup.uk
🌐 www.grdgroup.uk
