Kieran Allen
Prescot, Merseyside
Summary
Senior vocational quality and education reform professional with extensive experience across further and higher education, school and awarding organisation environments. Demonstrable expertise in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and strategic reform supporting high‑quality vocational education and fair learner outcomes. Strong track record of influencing improvement through evidence‑based quality frameworks, stakeholder collaboration, and policy‑aligned practice within complex, regulated landscapes. Informed data driven researcher bringing academic background to affect and manage change through horizon scanning. Solution-focused and accustomed to navigating challenges through excellent leadership towards successful outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Centre Quality Manager, Northern Region
Pearson
2019.04 - Current
- Regional leadership of vocational and academic quality assurance across approximately 3,300 centres.
- Strategic oversight of centre risk, regulatory compliance and assessment integrity supporting national vocational standards.
- Design and implementation of sector‑informed quality frameworks aligned to education reform priorities.
- Leadership of interventions to protect learner outcomes, certification validity and public confidence.
- Advisory support to centres navigating structural change including mergers, collaborative delivery and distance learning.
- Use of data and intelligence to identify systemic risk and drive continuous improvement.
- Cross‑functional collaboration to ensure policy, regulation and operational delivery are aligned.
Vocational Quality Assurance Manager (Secondment)
Pearson
2025.08 - 2026.02
- Lead professional guidance for vocational centres across multiple regions.
- Support for centre onboarding and approval in line with regulatory and reform expectations.
- Design and delivery of targeted training to raise assessment quality and reduce sector risk.
- Oversight of quality assurance activity including Centre Check‑In and associate deployment.
- Promotion of consistent, fair and transparent vocational standards.
Subject Lead
Pearson
2017.07 - 2019.04
Supported implementation of academic standards across BTEC Sport framework.
Produced and moderated sample training materials for standards verification.
Assisted in management of sampling process to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of reporting.
Coordinated communication with assessment associates throughout academic cycle.
Monitored procedures to uphold credibility of BTEC Sport levels 1 - 3 QCF and NQF.
Facilitated resolution of assessment-related queries with a customer-focused approach.
Head of Curriculum
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
2015.08 - 2017.06
- Strategic leadership of vocational curriculum areas spanning Levels 1–4.
- Quality assurance lead across NCFE, CACHE and BTEC provision.
- Implementation of improvement strategies aligned to national FE priorities.
- Line management, performance development and professional learning of teaching staff.
Curriculum Lead – Public Services and Sport
Sussex Downs College
2008.09 - 2014.08
- Delivery and leadership of vocational programmes within the FE and sixth form sectors.
- Internal quality assurance, curriculum planning and learner progress oversight.
- Engagement with learner voice and employer expectations to inform provision.
Education
Senior Leader Level 7 Apprenticeship - Senior Leadership
Chartered Management Institute
2022-01
MBA - Business Administration
Manchester Metropolitan University
2022-01
PGCE - Post‑Compulsory Education
University of Brighton
2009-01
BA (Hons) - Sociology of Sport
University of Brighton
2005-01
Skills
- Vocational quality assurance and regulatory compliance
- Education sector reform and change management
- Risk identification, evaluation, and strategic mitigation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Assessment integrity and standards assurance
- Policy-aligned process and framework design
- Operational planning and implemetation of standards
- Leadership of training, guidance, and professional development
Additional information
Examiner for BTEC Sport and Protective Services qualifications., vocational reform, assessment quality, widening participation
Custom Section
- Vocational quality assurance and regulatory compliance
- Education sector reform and quality improvement
- Centre risk evaluation, intervention and recovery
- Stakeholder engagement across FE, sixth form and work‑based learning
- Assessment integrity and standards assurance
- Policy‑aligned process and framework design
- Change management in regulated education systems
- Leadership of training, guidance and professional development
Languages
Spanish
Intermediate
B1
French
Intermediate
B1
Interests
- Keen marathon runner, outdoor enthusiast and traveller
Timeline
Vocational Quality Assurance Manager (Secondment)
Pearson
2025.08 - 2026.02
Centre Quality Manager, Northern Region
Pearson
2019.04 - Current
Subject Lead
Pearson
2017.07 - 2019.04
Head of Curriculum
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
2015.08 - 2017.06
Curriculum Lead – Public Services and Sport
Sussex Downs College
2008.09 - 2014.08
Senior Leader Level 7 Apprenticeship - Senior Leadership
Chartered Management Institute
MBA - Business Administration
Manchester Metropolitan University
PGCE - Post‑Compulsory Education
University of Brighton
BA (Hons) - Sociology of Sport
University of Brighton