Celebrating Excellence at the FAB Awards

It was nearly but not quite for FutureQuals after being nominated in two categories

As the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Award event wraps up at the Marriot Hotel in Leicester today, we look back on two full and engaging days of speeches, panels and celebrations. It was exciting to see the direction FAB is heading, and FutureQuals is very much ready to be part of it!

The event began yesterday morning with an inspiring opening speech from FAB Chief Executive Chief Executive Rob Nitsch. He shared about the organisation’s strategy, which includes more advocacy with stakeholders and government, and improving data and research in assessment methods. We heard his call to build stronger relationships with organisations and government bodies across the nation.

Two nominations

The centrepiece of the event, however, was undoubtedly the awards celebration last night, where we were honoured to be named as finalists for not one, but two awards:

AO/Employer Relationship of the Year for our partnership with West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust
AO/Provider Relationship of the Year for our collaboration with Chichester College Group

Sadly it wasn’t to be for FutureQuals this year, but big congratulations to all the winners, especially Agored Cymru and Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW), and Occupational Awards Limited and Bournemouth and Poole College, who were successful in our categories.

New connections

Today there were more events and opportunities for connection, with one highlight being an insightful panel discussion featuring Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales, and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). The focus was on qualification reforms across the home nations and how regulation adds real value to the qualifications and skills ecosystem.

As the event came to a close this afternoon, our Chief Operating Officer Simon Stevens reflected on the value of the gathering and celebrating success.

“It was an engaging and inspiring time being in a room full of awarding organisations from such a wide range of sectors. We valued the opportunities to learn about new innovations, reflect on best practice and of course celebrate achievements within the regulated qualifications scene.

“We had some incredibly positive discussions with other AOs too, and look forward to next year’s event. Who knows, maybe 2025 could be FutureQuals’ year?”