About ESB

38 Years of Independent Assurance

ESB was founded by Derek Gardner and his wife Kim, after Derek’s time as Principal Environmental Health Officer at Leicester City Council. They set up a consultancy that did safety the simple way: meet people where they are, shake hands on a plan, then do what you said you would do. That spirit still guides us today.

We’re an independent consultancy that helps operators run safer sites with clear routines, practical training and tidy evidence.

Our team includes former EHOs, health and safety practitioners, fire safety specialists and hospitality veterans. We combine regulatory insight with a genuine understanding of the pressures on kitchens, bars, hotels and venues.

Meet our Team

Trusted by more than 13,000 operators around the world

Built on Independence

Strong assurance requires three things: objectivity, operational insight, and long-term experience. Over 38 years, we have built all three.
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We maintain no commercial relationships that could influence our findings. There is no corporate parent dictating strategy, no product catalogue to push, and no conflict of interest between what we recommend and what we sell. Our clients receive a clear and unbiased picture of their operational position.

ESB has developed deep expertise in hospitality risk management and the regulatory frameworks that govern it. We understand the operational realities that leadership teams face.

"Independence is the foundation of our credibility."

Independent, practical, personal

We don’t enforce. We don’t sell software or equipment. We listen, watch how the work really happens, and leave teams with steps they can keep on a busy day. Our advice is plain English, our plans are realistic, and we stay close until improvements stick.

Experience that translates to the floor

Our team includes former EHOs alongside health and safety practitioners, fire specialists and experienced operators. That mix keeps us grounded: regulatory insight with the day-to-day reality of kitchens, stockrooms, guest areas and plant rooms.

One standard: do the right thing

We believe in the values ESB started with, honesty, integrity and trust. If a fix is urgent, we say so. If there’s a simpler way, we show it. You get a partner who cares about your people and your brand.

Our approach

Mission and Values

We take a practical, people-first approach to safety and compliance — focused on what actually works day to day.

Mission

We exist to help operators protect their people, guests and brand.

Values

• Honesty, independence and partnership
• Plain language and actionable advice

Our aim is not just to keep you compliant, but to make compliance contribute to smoother operations and better guest experiences.

Where it started

Our Story

In the late 1980s, Derek Gardner took what he’d learned as Principal EHO at Leicester City Council and started ESB. His approach was refreshingly simple, shake hands on a plan, do the work, and leave people better prepared than you found them. Word spread because the support was practical and the results held up under inspection.

Over the next three decades ESB widened its scope from food safety into health and safety, fire safety, training and incident support. We helped independents and groups through big shifts. Allergen labelling changes, COVID-era controls, and now readiness for Martyn’s Law, always with the same ethos. People first, clear routines, evidence that stands up.

ESB is still a family-led consultancy, now run by Ben Gardner. Derek’s foundations guide the way we work, and the next generation has added digital know-how and multi-site experience. The promise hasn’t changed, practical support you can use this week, not a thick file that gathers dust.

Meet our Team

Pan-European Capability

We operate across the UK and Europe, delivering consistent assurance standards wherever our clients need them. Today, ESB serves multi-site operators across 12 countries. At the same time, our auditors bring local expertise without compromising the rigour of our approach. We support organisations that manage hospitality risk across multiple markets and regions.

UK & Ireland

Comprehensive coverage across all major markets

Western Europe

Established presence with experienced local auditors

Nordic & CEE

A growing assurance network supporting regional operations

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Working With ESB

If your organisation is looking to strengthen governance and risk oversight, we welcome the conversation. Whether you operate 10 sites or 500, our structured portfolio programmes are designed to give leadership consistent, reliable visibility across the full estate. Explore how operational assurance supports leadership teams in understanding and managing operational risk. You can also review relevant standards through the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and ISO 45001.

Speak to our team today on 0808 164 3773