Damien Houseman
Founder & Executive Business & Compliance Advisor
At Setting The Standards Consultancy Ltd, my mission is simple: to help businesses become safer, stronger and more successful.
After more than two decades of building my career across manufacturing, food production, construction, engineering, logistics and operational leadership, I established Setting The Standards Consultancy Ltd to provide organisations with practical, executive-level consultancy that delivers measurable results.
Unlike many consultants, my experience has been built from the ground up. I began my career on the shop floor and progressed through operational, safety, technical and leadership roles to senior management and executive positions guiding businesses on their transformation journey. That journey has given me a unique understanding of every level of a business and the challenges faced by both frontline teams and leadership.
Today, I work alongside business owners, directors and senior leadership teams, providing strategic support across Compliance, Health, Safety & Environment, Quality and Operational Excellence.
My approach is collaborative, commercially focused and built on one principle:
Helping businesses achieve lasting improvement—not simply compliance.
My Journey
I have always believed that great leaders never stop learning.
Every role, every challenge and every business has strengthened my knowledge, broadened my perspective and reinforced the importance of continual improvement.
Setting The Standards Consultancy Ltd was created to bring together years of operational leadership, safety know-how, compliance expertise and practical experience into a consultancy that genuinely partners with organisations to solve problems, improve performance and create sustainable growth.
Rather than offering generic advice, I work as an extension of your leadership team—developing practical solutions that are aligned with your business objectives and culture.
What Drives Me
My motivation extends far beyond business.
As a husband and father within a blended family, including a son with complex medical needs and a life-limiting condition, I have learned the value of resilience, perspective and making every day count.
Watching my wife and children overcome challenges with determination has shaped both my personal outlook and my leadership style.
It has reinforced the importance of remaining calm under pressure, leading with empathy, supporting others and always focusing on solutions rather than obstacles.
Those same principles underpin every client relationship and every project I undertake.
Leadership Philosophy
Leadership is about creating an environment where people and businesses can succeed.
From an early age I developed a passion for teamwork through competitive hockey, athletics and scouting, experiences that taught me discipline, accountability and the importance of supporting others.
Throughout my career I have led teams ranging from small operational groups to complex multi-site businesses, giving me first-hand experience of leading change, developing people and delivering operational excellence at scale.
Today, I continue to apply those same principles by working alongside clients to strengthen leadership, improve performance and build high-performing organisations.
A Proven Track Record
My career has been built on delivering results through strong leadership, structured improvement and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.
Some highlights include:
Executive Leadership
Progressed from shop floor to senior executive leadership through performance, commitment and results.
Successfully led operational, safety, compliance, quality and business transformation programmes across multiple sectors.
Managed teams ranging from 5 employees to over 400 colleagues across multiple locations.
Operational Excellence
Led complex business transformation and change management programmes.
Turned underperforming service centres into flagship operations through leadership, engagement and performance improvement.
Successfully managed large operational facilities of 11.75-acre and 14-acre sites, delivering measurable improvements in service, safety and operational performance.
Personal Achievement
Outside of business, I believe leadership is demonstrated through commitment and perseverance.
Achievements include:
Coaching an Under-16 hockey team to consecutive finals, achieving a milestone not accomplished in the club's 125-year history, and one that has not been repeated.
Climbing Snowdon with my son, despite his complex medical needs and life-limiting condition—a moment that remains one of my proudest achievements.
Completing 10 x 10 km events in 10 months in support of charitable causes.
Completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours alongside work colleagues.
These experiences have strengthened my resilience, determination and belief that with the right mindset, strong teamwork and effective leadership, significant challenges can be overcome.