Cirrus Assessment has launched a dedicated assessment consultancy service to help organisations strengthen high-stakes exam programmes and navigate increasing regulatory and delivery pressures.
Assessment teams face increasing expectations around academic integrity, governance, candidate fairness and delivery reliability. Many are balancing these responsibilities with limited capacity while navigating digital delivery, programme scale and rising regulatory oversight.
What the Cirrus assessment consultancy service offers
The new consultancy provides strategic and operational support for organisations managing these pressures. It formalises expertise the company has long provided to platform customers and makes it available to both Cirrus clients and organisations using other assessment systems.
Cirrus supports organisations running high-stakes assessments through two complementary service areas: Platform Services and Assessment Services.
Platform Services support awarding bodies, professional organisations and universities delivering high-stakes exams on the Cirrus assessment platform, backed by specialist assessment expertise.
Led by deep assessment expertise
Assessment Services provide broader support in programme design, governance and delivery and will be led by Robert Burns, Head of Business Consulting. Burns brings more than 25 years’ experience working with regulated awarding bodies and professional organisations. He previously served as Delivery Lead for Assessments at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, where he was responsible for assessments and supporting technology.
He will work with organisations navigating assessment redesign, digital transformation and governance reform in complex, high-stakes environments.
Robert Burns, Head of Business Consulting at Cirrus Assessment, said:
“Assessment teams are under intense pressure. Standards must hold up to scrutiny. Delivery has to work every time.
Our role is to bring calm, practical expertise so organisations can strengthen their programmes without adding unnecessary complexity.”
We offer four types of support covering every stage of the assessment cycle. Some organisations need us end to end. Others bring us in for one specific area. Either way they receive the same level of expertise.”
A practical starting point: assessment process check
The consultancy service also introduces a structured Assessment Process Check. This free independent review helps organisations identify strengths, risks and opportunities within their current assessment programmes before committing to further work.
Learn more about Cirrus Assessment Services and consultancy.
If you are reviewing your current assessment approach or planning changes, you can book an Assessment Process Check or speak with our team to explore where targeted support could make a difference.
