Centre for Assessment

What Centre for Assessment does

Centre for Assessment Ltd is a UKAS-accredited certification body (Accreditation No. 0120) headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, and operating as a subsidiary of The Growth Company group. Founded in the early 2000s with more than two decades of operating history, the company issues third-party certification audits and assessments against internationally recognised standards for organisations nationally and internationally, operating from a workforce of 11–50 employees.

The core product set spans ISO management system certifications (ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environmental, ISO 27001 Information Security, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 42001 AI Management, ISO 14068 Carbon Neutrality, ISO 45003 Psychological Health and Safety) alongside sector-specific schemes — Lexcel (licensed by The Law Society) for legal practices, BS EN 1090 and SSiP for construction, ISO 3834 for welding, BS EN 14065 for laundry biocontamination, and GWO for wind-energy training providers. Cyber security offerings include Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, and the assurance report suite comprises SOC 1, SOC 2, and PAS 2060. Training is delivered as one-day tutor-led internal auditor courses for ISO 9001 and ISO 27001. The underlying delivery model is human-led: accredited lead auditors conduct site-based assessments, with technology limited to a UKAS CertCheck verification portal, online quote-request forms, and a Directory of Independent Consultants.

Revenue is generated principally through subscription/recurring certification fees structured across a three-year audit cycle with mandatory annual surveillance visits, supplemented by professional-services fees for assurance reports and one-off training delivery. Transaction pricing begins at £1,050 + VAT for an ISO 9001 initial audit and scales with organisation size and site count; no transfer fee is charged when clients migrate from competing certification bodies, an explicit switching-cost-reduction tactic. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed via direct website quote requests, phone outreach (0161 237 4080), and the consultant directory channel, with no platform or marketplace layer.

Name

Centre for Assessment

Legal name

Centre for Assessment Ltd

Website

https://centreforassessment.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre for Assessment is a Manchester-based UKAS-accredited certification body (No. 0120) providing ISO management system, sector-specific, and cyber certification audits, plus internal auditor training, to UK and international organisations across legal, construction, and manufacturing sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ), Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA), Legal, Governance, Privacy & Audit Certifications (EDAAANAN), Assessment Policy, Benchmarking & International Comparability Authorities (EDADAFAJ)

Keywords

• ISO certification services
• Management system audits
• Compliance certification body
• UKAS-accredited certification
• Assurance reporting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. ISO Certification Services: Certification audits and assessments for ISO management system standards including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, ISO 42001, ISO 14068, and sector-specific standards. Revenue is generated through initial certification audits and annual surveillance visits over a three-year audit cycle.
2. Training Services: Internal auditor training courses for ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 standards, delivered as one-day tutor-led sessions.
3. Sector-Specific Certifications: Specialized certifications including Lexcel (legal sector), Customer Service Excellence (Cabinet Office framework), Cyber Essentials, GWO, EN 1090, and various other sector-specific standards.
4. Assurance Reports: SOC 1 and SOC 2 assurance reporting services for organizations requiring third-party validation of controls.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Centre for Assessment is a UKAS-accredited certification body (No. 0120) that provides third-party assessment, certification, and training services to organisations seeking ISO management system certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, 45001, 42001), sector-specific accreditations (Lexcel, BS EN 1090, GWO, SSiP), cyber security certifications (Cyber Essentials), and assurance reports (SOC 1, SOC 2, PAS 2060). Revenue is generated through initial certification audits and recurring annual surveillance visits over a three-year audit cycle.

Product overview

Centre for Assessment is a UKAS-accredited certification body (No. 0120) providing assessment, certification, and training services. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of ISO Management System certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 14068, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, ISO 45001, ISO 45003), sector-specific certifications (Lexcel for legal practices, BS EN 1090 for construction, GWO for wind energy, SSiP, ISO 3834, BS EN 14065), cyber security certifications (Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus), Customer Service Excellence (Cabinet Office framework), and Assurance Reports (SOC 1, SOC 2, PAS 2060). Training services include ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 Internal Auditor Training. People-focused certifications include ISO 30414 (Human Capital Reporting), ISO 30415 (Diversity & Inclusion), and BS 76000 (Valuing People). The company also provides environmental certifications and green certification services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISO 9001 Certification Quality Management System certification for organisations of any size, helping improve processes, win contracts, and demonstrate best practice. The world's most popular ISO standard with over 1 million certificate holders worldwide.
• ISO 14001 Certification Environmental Management System certification helping organisations reduce waste, lessen negative environmental impact, and comply with regulations.
• ISO 14068 Carbon Neutrality Certification ISO 14068-1:2023 certification providing a framework for organisations to claim and demonstrate carbon neutrality.
• ISO 27001 Certification Information Security Management certification ensuring that every form of information held is protected and secure, helping meet contractual, legal and regulatory requirements.
• ISO 42001 Certification Artificial Intelligence management system certification providing a framework for organisations to demonstrate responsible AI use.
• ISO 45001 Certification Occupational Health & Safety Management certification helping organisations reduce the risk of accidents and claims, reassure customers, and save on insurance premiums.
• ISO 45003 Certification Psychological Health & Safety Management certification addressing workplace wellbeing and mental health risks.
• Cyber Essentials Government-backed self-assessment certification helping prevent external cyber threats and improve IT infrastructure security.
• Cyber Essentials Plus Government-backed cyber security certification with enhanced independent verification against cyber threats.
• Lexcel Accreditation Licensed Lexcel accreditation for The Law Society, helping law firms demonstrate quality management, compliance with legal sector standards, and attract new clients.
• Customer Service Excellence Cabinet Office framework certification helping organisations embed a customer-first culture and continuously improve the customer experience.
• ISAE 3402 (SOC 1) Assurance Report Assurance report for financial reporting controls, providing trust and transparency for service organisations.
• ISAE 3000 (SOC 2) Assurance Report Assurance report covering security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls for technology organisations.
• PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality Specification for demonstrating carbon neutrality, providing a recognised standard for carbon footprint offsetting.
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Training One-day tutor-led training session providing the knowledge and skills to complete ISO 9001 internal audits effectively.
• ISO 27001 Internal Auditor Training Training programme equipping participants to conduct effective ISO 27001 internal audits.
• ISO 30414 Human Capital Reporting Standard for human capital reporting, enabling organisations to measure and report on workforce metrics.
• ISO 30415 Diversity & Inclusion Standard addressing diversity and inclusion within organisations.
• BS 76000 Valuing People British Standard for valuing people, recognising human resources as key organisational assets.
• BS EN 1090 Certification UKCA/CE marking certification for structural steel and aluminium products, a legal requirement for selling such products in the construction sector.
• ISO 3834 Certification Quality requirements certification for fusion welding of metallic materials.
• BS EN 14065 Laundry Processed Textiles Biocontamination control system certification for laundry processed textiles.
• SSiP Certification Safety Schemes in Procurement certification for the construction industry supply chain.
• GWO Certification Global Wind Organisation certification for GWO training providers in the renewable energy sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organisations report achieving over 90% customer satisfaction after implementing ISO certifications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Growth CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre for Assessment is part of The Growth Company (TGC) group. CfA operates in line with the policies, processes and values of The Growth Company. TGC is described as providing strategic direction and shared services including HR, finance, and operational infrastructure support.
• UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKAS is the national accreditation body for the UK. CfA holds UKAS accreditation (No. 0120) which provides formal recognition that CfA's certification services meet internationally recognized standards. UKAS accreditation is a key differentiator and requirement for many certification services.
• The Law SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCfA is a licensed Lexcel accreditation body for The Law Society. This partnership allows CfA to certify law firms against the Lexcel practice management standard. Hundreds of CfA clients are in the legal sector.
• Cabinet OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCfA is a trusted delivery partner for the Cabinet Office's Customer Service Excellence scheme. This government partnership enables CfA to assess and certify organizations against the CSE framework.
• GWO (Global Wind Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCfA is an approved GWO certification body, helping training providers gain or maintain GWO trainer status for the wind energy industry.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: SGS is the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification company, offering ISO and sector-specific certifications across 100+ countries. It directly competes with CfA in ISO, environmental, and safety certification, with far greater geographic reach.
• LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance): LRQA is a major UK-based certification body providing ISO certifications, sector-specific standards, and assurance services globally. It competes head-to-head with CfA across ISO 9001/14001/27001/45001 and similar standards, but with much larger auditor capacity.
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas): DNV is a global certification and assurance body with strong UK presence, offering ISO management system certification, sector-specific accreditation (including ISO 3834 welding), and emerging standard certifications. It is a scaled competitor in many of CfA's verticals.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a global certification body with strong UK presence, offering ISO certifications, cyber security, and sector-specific accreditations. It competes with CfA across ISO 9001/14001/27001, ISO 42001, and Cyber Essentials-adjacent services.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) company offering ISO management system certification, sector-specific accreditation, and assurance services. It competes with CfA across ISO 9001/14001/45001 and emerging standards like ISO 14068.
• BSI Group: BSI is the UK's national standards body and one of the largest global certification bodies, offering ISO management system certification, sector-specific accreditation, and training. It is CfA's most direct and well-known UK competitor with significantly larger scale and brand recognition.

Direct peers

• Alcumus: Alcumus is a UK-based certification and compliance provider offering ISO certification, SSiP schemes, and health & safety accreditation. It directly competes with CfA on ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and SSiP, with similar mid-market focus.
• CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme): CHAS is a UK-based accreditation body focused on health and safety compliance for the construction and contractor supply chain. It is a direct competitor in SSiP and construction-sector certifications that CfA offers.
• QMS International: QMS International is a UK-based ISO certification body offering ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, and 45001 certifications primarily to SMEs. It directly competes with CfA for the same mid-market client base with similar pricing structures.
• ISO Quality Services: ISO Quality Services is a UK-based UKAS-accredited certification body offering ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, and 45001 certifications to small and mid-sized organizations. It is a near-direct competitor to CfA in the UK SME certification market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-assessment-ltd
• Xx.com/CfALtd

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Assessment