GOVERNANCE • STRATEGY • DELIVERY
Providing strategic and hands-on support to the HE sector
Our story
AssurED is a founder led consultancy. Small by design.
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We bring a deep and practical understanding of the UK higher education sector. Our experience comes from working inside universities and alongside sector bodies, directing governance services, supporting boards, delivering projects and leading teams through regulatory and organisational change. Our work spans governance, strategy, planning, policy and risk.
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We work with universities across the full range of governance and delivery activity, and we also support Students' Unions where our experience of board development, strategy and organisational improvement adds value. This includes helping Union boards shape priorities, strengthen governance and plan for growth in ways that align with their institutional context.
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When additional expertise is needed, we draw on a trusted network of professionals, including executive coaches, leadership and organisational development specialists, digital transformation leads, project and change practitioners, information governance experts and data and analytics specialists.
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Everyone we work with brings recent and relevant experience. They understand what it is like to work in and with higher education providers, or have a meaningful connection to the student experience. This means institutions and Unions can access the right expertise without the overheads of permanent roles, the complexity of managing a multi disciplinary team or the difficulty of finding proportionate support for projects that may be too small for larger, generalist consultancies.
AssurED Services
We provide support across governance, strategy and delivery, helping institutions move forward in ways that are focused, proportionate and practical. ​Our work is grounded in real sector experience. Whether you need advice, additional capacity or hands-on input, we shape our support around your needs and your context.
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The areas below reflect common ways we work with institutions, though every engagement is shaped by what matters most to you.
Strategic Governance & Leadership
We work with governing bodies, executive teams and senior leaders to shape proportionate governance structures that are fit for purpose, clearly defined and enable effective decision-making.
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We offer flexible, tailored support, including:
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Interim or fractional leadership across governance functions
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Tailored support for boards and committees
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Service design and review, with targeted improvement projects
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One-to-one peer support for governance professionals and senior leaders
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Quality, Compliance & Regulation
We undertake independent external governance reviews and support institutions to prepare for OfS registration, regulatory scrutiny and internal improvement. We recognise each institution’s context and the demands of an evolving external environment, and our work is designed to provide practical and evidence-based advice.
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Whether you're anticipating inspection or strengthening internal systems, we help you focus on what matters:
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​Preparation for registration, inspection or regulatory review
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External effectiveness reviews (governance, quality, compliance)
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Gap analysis and targeted action planning
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Advice on risk, assurance and reporting
Project Delivery & Change Management
We help institutions deliver strategic projects, whether that’s implementing governance changes, advancing strategic plans or supporting major institutional priorities. Our approach brings additional capacity, structure and pace to ensure that intent leads to action.
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Our support includes:
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Development of project governance frameworks
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Project reviews, health checks and resets
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Additional project management capacity
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Change management, including planning, scoping and implementation
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Support for digital transformation initiatives
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AssurED Partners
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