As a Chief Creative Officer, your role is about driving vision, nurturing ideas, and empowering teams to bring bold concepts to life. But while creativity fuels your business, the tools that support it—computers, lighting, studio equipment, and office appliances—are powered by electricity. And that means safety and compliance are just as important as innovation.
This is where PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) becomes part of the bigger picture. It may not feel like the most creative subject, but it plays a vital role in protecting your people, your reputation, and your bottom line.
What Is PAT Testing?
PAT testing is the process of checking electrical appliances to ensure they’re safe for workplace use. It involves:
- Visual inspection – spotting obvious issues like cracked plugs, worn cables, or overheating marks.
- Electrical testing – using specialist equipment to identify hidden faults.
Once completed, items are labelled pass/fail, and you’ll usually receive a certificate—important for audits, insurers, and clients.
Why PAT Testing Matters at Leadership Level
As a CCO, your focus isn’t just on creativity—it’s on shaping a safe, professional environment where teams thrive. PAT testing supports that by:
- Protecting staff – ensuring the tools your designers, artists, or strategists use daily are safe.
- Meeting legal responsibilities – under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, businesses must keep equipment safe.
- Avoiding downtime – faulty equipment means missed deadlines and lost productivity.
- Safeguarding reputation – clients expect professionalism at every level, including compliance.
- Insurance compliance – many business insurance policies expect proof of testing.
What Equipment Should Be PAT Tested?
In a creative business, electrical equipment comes in many forms. Common items include:
- Computers, laptops, and monitors
- Graphics tablets and peripherals
- Studio lighting, cameras, and AV equipment
- Printers and scanners
- Chargers, extension leads, and power strips
- Kitchen appliances in break areas
Even “low-risk” office gear is worth checking—extension leads, in particular, are a common point of failure.
How Often Should Businesses Test?
There’s no fixed law, but guidance for creative businesses typically looks like this:
- Annually – for portable, frequently used equipment (laptops, chargers, studio lighting).
- Every 2–3 years – for low-use office equipment.
- After damage or repair – always retest before using again.
Many agencies and studios opt for a yearly PAT test across the board—it keeps things simple and consistent.
PAT Testing and Leadership Responsibility
For a CCO, PAT testing isn’t about managing cables—it’s about leading by example. By ensuring your workplace is safe, you’re showing teams and clients alike that innovation and responsibility go hand in hand.
It’s part of a bigger leadership mindset: creativity thrives best in environments that are safe, reliable, and professional.
Final Thoughts
As Chief Creative Officer, your focus is on vision, culture, and innovation. But behind every big idea is a practical foundation—safe, functional equipment that allows creativity to shine.
PAT testing may seem small compared to creative strategy, but it’s one of those behind-the-scenes details that keeps everything running smoothly.
Think of it as maintenance for your creative engine: invisible when it’s working, but vital to ensure your team’s brilliance can take centre stage.