20 FAB years representing awarding bodies

The Federation of Awarding Bodies celebrates 20 years of transforming learners’ lives through awarding and assessment practice, as it publishes a new plan to increase equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across the industry.

Senior leaders from examination boards and awarding organisations gathered virtually today[1], to mark a special 20^th anniversary.

The Federation is the collective voice of the awarding and assessment industry, having been incorporated in January 2002.

Commenting on the milestone, FAB’s co-chairs, Kirstie Donnelly MBE and Alan Woods OBE, said:

“We all stand on the shoulders of giants. And we’d like to thank all those serving at board and executive level, over the past two decades, who have helped successfully build our membership association. And it is especially an honour to be leading the awarding and assessment industry at this critical time. “The world is a very different place from two decades ago. Vocational and technical skills, including apprenticeship assessments, provided by our members, have never been more important – whether in terms of tackling sluggish productivity growth or increasing social mobility – we’re very proud of the fact FAB today works at the forefront of all these issues.”

Our chief executive, Tom Bewick, added:

“Representing our members through a democratic structure is hardwired into the DNA of the association. It’s what has ensured that we lasted the test of time, as others, including many quangos in the skills space, have come and gone.

“We will continue to represent the common concerns of the regulated community of awarding and assessment bodies, as we work across the four nations of the United Kingdom.

“Today, we are also delighted to launch our first ever plan to improve equity, diversity and inclusion. This living document sets out a series of tangible milestones in the short, medium and long term, against which we will measure ourselves and the industry as we strive to make more of an impact on equalities in our workforce and improve educational outcomes. A new member-led advisory expert group on EDI will monitor progress and publish results annually.”

Ends.

[1] Due to the extreme weather and travel difficulties across the UK on 18 July, a physical event at the Royal Society of Arts unfortunately was not able to go ahead. A virtual meeting took place that day instead, comprising the FAB Board & National Strategy Forum. The FAB conference 20-21 October will also be an opportunity for the industry to celebrate our 20^th Anniversary Year, with the main conference theme this year on EDI.