About

AssurED is a founder led consultancy that supports universities and Students Unions with governance, assurance and delivery. We provide practical and proportionate support shaped by real experience of senior leadership in higher education and the wider public sector.

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Our approach is grounded in how governance operates in practice. We understand how decisions are made in complex institutions, how pressures build, how risks are interpreted and how leaders process information when discussions become sensitive or difficult. Clients come to us when they want support that is reliable, clear and informed by lived experience inside the sector.

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Our Founder

Our founder is an experienced governance leader with more than twenty years of career experience, including fifteen years in higher education and the public sector, and nine years as Head of Corporate Governance at a dual intensive university. Their work has covered governance, information governance, safeguarding, risk interpretation, project governance, policy frameworks and the full breadth of advisory work to senior committees and executive leaders.

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They have supported Chairs, Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, senior executives and external board members with confidential advice, written and oral briefings, quality assurance of reports and guidance during sensitive and high stakes situations. This includes work on independent investigations, legal processes, FOI reviews, safeguarding notifications and complex internal matters that require calm judgement and a measured hand.

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Their leadership experience includes managing multi functional teams across governance, compliance and information governance, raising institutional capability through training, development and improved standards, and shaping governance cultures that are transparent, supportive and professionally confident.

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Alongside this, part time study as a mature postgraduate student brings a grounded and relatable understanding of the everyday realities facing students and staff.

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Committee Management

Experience includes support for governing bodies, audit and risk committees, policy and resources committees, nominations committees, executive boards and their sub committees and advisory groups. This also includes subsidiary company boards, task and finish groups and working groups.

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Support covers the full cycle of effective governance, including agenda planning, briefing, paper review and development, stakeholder engagement, action tracking, minute taking, assurance reporting and clear communication. Work is delivered with consistency and discipline so that decision makers receive the information they need to operate confidently.

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Project Governance and Management

Experience spans both project delivery and the design of institutional governance frameworks. This includes sponsorship of cross organisational projects, coordination across functions, reporting to executive groups and supporting the structures that guide major priorities.

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It also includes the development of practical frameworks that enable clear decision pathways, proportionate assurance reporting and transparent oversight, helping institutions move from intent to action with confidence.

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Board Level Insight

Experience as a non executive director offers a valuable view from the other side of the table. This strengthens the ability to frame issues clearly, present balanced recommendations and support board members to focus on what matters.

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Sector Wide Perspective

Consultancy work with AHEP provides insight into national practice, emerging expectations and sector wide developments. This informs advice that is current, realistic and shaped by a broad view of how governance is evolving.

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What This Means for Clients

AssurED offers a blend of sector depth, senior leadership experience and practical judgement. Clients work directly with someone who has supported governing bodies, advised executive leaders and managed sensitive institutional issues with discretion and clarity. Support is grounded in lived experience, proportionate to the context and focused on strengthening capability, confidence and good decision making.

 

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