Non Executive Director - Compliance

Innovate Awarding, part of the Lifetime Group, is a leading independent national awarding organisation specialising in vocational apprenticeship qualifications. Working for Lifetime Group isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to be part of a supportive and progressive culture that is focused on enabling people to fulfil their potential.

The Non-Executive Director (NED) will join our Board and take on the additional responsibility of Chairing the Regulatory Compliance Committee. This combined role provides strategic oversight and constructive challenge to ensure our regulatory obligations are met, risks are managed, and quality remains at the heart of everything we do. This is a pivotal governance role for an individual with strong regulatory insight, sound judgement, and the ability to foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What will you be doing?

• Board Responsibilities (as NED)

• Provide independent scrutiny, strategic guidance, and constructive challenge to the Managing Director, Executive Team and Board colleagues.
• Bring external perspective, sector insight, and commercial awareness to Board deliberations and decision-making.
• Ensure robust governance practices and high standards of corporate stewardship.
• Monitor organisational performance, culture, financial sustainability, and risk management.
• Champion Innovate Awarding’s mission, values, and commitment to upholding public confidence in apprenticeship and vocational assessment.
• Act as a supportive but challenging partner to the Chair, Managing Director and Executive Team.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and independence.

• Leadership & Governance

• Lead the Regulatory Compliance Committee, working closely with the Director of Compliance on setting a clear agenda and ensuring effective, well-governed meetings.
• Ensure the Committee fulfils its purpose of monitoring compliance with Ofqual primarily as well as other evolving regulatory/statutory requirements relating to the delivery of assessment.
• Provide assurance to the Board that compliance frameworks, controls, and quality systems are effective and proportionate.
• Oversee the organisation’s strategic commitment to strengthening compliance arrangements for example through launching thematic reviews and internal audit processes.
• Ensure the Committee receives high-quality reporting and evidence to support informed scrutiny and decision-making.

• Maintain oversight of regulatory audits, investigations, and action plans, ensuring appropriate Board visibility and monitoring.
• Provide constructive challenge on areas including assessment standards, validity, reliability, EQA findings, data security, and registration/certification controls.
• Monitor compliance with policies and conditions of recognition for all awarding and assessment activities.
• Ensure emerging regulatory and policy changes are monitored, understood, and built into strategic planning and compliance controls.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement across compliance, quality assurance, and risk management.

• As a Non-Executive Director under the terms of the Companies Act, you will operate solely in the best interests of Innovate Awarding Ltd. at all times.
• Declare and manage conflicts of interest transparently and proactively.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all governance codes and regulatory expectations.

What will you bring to the role?

• Significant experience in a regulated environment - ideally assessment, education, awarding, qualifications, or adjacent regulated sectors.
• Proven governance experience at Board or Committee level (executive or non-executive).
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and risk management.
• Demonstrable independence of judgement, analytical thinking, and the ability to constructively challenge.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to facilitate balanced, inclusive discussions.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

It would be great if you had

• Direct experience with Ofqual regulation or similar regulatory bodies.
• Direct experience of the Ofqual General Conditions of Recognition.
• Familiarity with apprenticeship standards, and/or vocational qualifications.
• Experience chairing committees or boards.
• Understanding of data governance, assessment technologies, or risk frameworks.

Time Commitment

• The Board meets online every month for 1–2 hours, you will be expected to read board papers and supporting information in advance of board meetings.
• The Board meets in person for longer sessions 3-4 hours every quarter, usually in Bristol.
• The compliance committee will meet quarterly in-person or online.
• Additional availability during regulatory events, audits, or periods of heightened scrutiny may be required.

A diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce. As a group, we are committed to broadening the equity, diversity, and inclusion of our workforce and creating a sense of belonging for all. In this way we will better represent those who learn with us and our partners to greater understand and fulfil their needs. By listening to our emerging diverse workforce, we will agree future goals and priorities as a community. This in turn will help secure a sustainable future for the Group, benefiting not just us but also our partners and those who learn with us. Your experience is invaluable to us, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable recruitment environment for all candidates. We welcome any feedback on how we can enhance our approach to an inclusive process, please feel free to share your ideas with us here: This feedback is anonymous and will only be used for EDI monitoring and enhancement.