Transcend Awards

What Transcend Awards does

Transcend Awards Limited is a UK-based, Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation (Organisation Reference: RN6007) founded in 2017 and headquartered in Milton Keynes (registered office), with the firm's operating base in Wigan. The company designs and provides vocational qualifications spanning Entry Level 3 to Level 7 across sectors including fitness, coaching, teaching, physical activity, sports, military and public service, alternative education, food safety, playground safety, and performing arts. Its portfolio includes specialist suites such as the FIFA Technical Leaders Level 6 Diploma, Beth Tweddle Gymnastics coaching qualifications, UKSCA Licensed Assessors, AOSB Army Officer Selection Board pathways, and the BTB Veterans suite, each developed in collaboration with named industry partners.

The core technology stack consists of Creatio (a third-party management system positioned as the industry leader for awarding organisations) and Competence (an accredited Learning Management System) used for qualification administration and delivery. The company is privately held by the Lenagan Family, with Stacey Doherty serving as CEO and Ian Lenagan as Managing Director and Governing Body Member; the Governing Body includes a Chairman (Steve Mitchell) and additional members with sector and compliance credentials. There is no external institutional, PE, or VC investment evidenced in the supplied data.

Transcend generates revenue primarily through per-learner qualification registration fees ranging from £25 (Level 1) to £320 (Level 6-7), with many qualifications accessible via UK government or employer funding (particularly for 16-19 year olds at Level 2/3 and apprenticeships at Level 4). Distribution is executed through a vetted network of Recognised/Accredited Centres (training providers and colleges) in the UK, supplemented by exclusive channel partnerships — most notably the FIFA Training Centre for the FIFA Technical Leaders Diploma globally, and CDS Defence & Security for AOSB pathways. The go-to-market combines B2B2C delivery via centres, direct B2B partnerships for the specialist suites, and institutional positioning through memberships in CIMSPA, the Federation of Awarding Bodies, UK Active, and UK Skills Partnership.

Name

Transcend Awards

Legal name

Transcend Awards Limited

Website

https://transcendawards.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Transcend Awards Limited is a UK-based, Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation that designs vocational qualifications (Entry Level 3 to Level 7) for training providers, learners and employers across fitness, coaching, sports, military and alternative-education sectors, generating revenue via per-learner registration fees distributed through a vetted Recognised Centre network and exclusive partners including FIFA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Qualifications and Awarding Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADAFAC

Awarding Organizations & Credentialing Bodies (Certificates/Diplomas)

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Assessment, Examinations & Qualifications Authorities

SECONDARYBPADAKAL

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Education & Skills Development Programs

SECONDARYEDAFADAM

Skills Assessment & Talent/Employability Testing Platforms

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Assessment, Testing, Proctoring & Credentialing Platforms

SECONDARYEDADACAG

International/Transnational Accreditation & Recognition Bodies

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

Keywords

• Vocational qualifications
• Ofqual-regulated awarding
• End-point assessment
• Accredited training certifications
• Fitness coaching qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Milton Keynes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Qualification Registration Fees: Transcend Awards generates revenue through registration fees for qualifications. Various qualification levels have different registration fees ranging from £25 to £320. The organisation is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation providing vocational qualifications from Entry Level 3 to Level 7.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Transcend Awards is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation (RN6007) that designs, develops, and provides vocational qualifications from Entry Level 3 to Level 7 across sectors including fitness, coaching, teaching, physical activity, sports, military, and alternative education. The company also delivers End-Point Assessment (EPA) services for apprenticeships and operates a Recognised Centre Programme for training providers to deliver its qualifications.

Product overview

Transcend Awards is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation offering a comprehensive portfolio of regulated qualifications and End-Point Assessment services. The company provides qualifications from Entry Level 3 to Level 7 across diverse sectors including fitness, coaching, health, sports, military, alternative education, and safety. Their core offerings include Transcend Distinction (qualification endorsement route), End-Point Assessment (EPA) services for apprenticeships, and the main Regulated Qualifications suite. The product portfolio includes specialist suites such as FIFA Technical Leaders, Football Coaches Suite, Playground Safety Suite, Food Safety Activists Suite, Infection Controllers Suite, Urban Beats/Images/Acts/Shapes (performing arts), and AOSB Assessment programmes. They also offer learner support services and a Recognised Centre Programme for training provider partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transcend Distinction: A qualification endorsement route launched in 2025.
• FIFA Technical Leaders Suite
• Beth Tweddle Gymnastics Suite
• AOSB Assessors Suite
• UKSCA Licensed Assessors Suite
• BTB Veterans Suite
• STEM Security Trauma Emergency Medics Suite
• Transcend EPA

Products and services

• Transcend Distinction A qualification endorsement route that enables training providers to gain distinction recognition for their qualifications. Launched in 2025 as a new pathway for qualification endorsement.
• End-Point Assessment (EPA) Applied, real-world assessments measuring technical skills, confidence, professional judgement, and impact in role for apprentices, including the Level 4 Sports Coach End-Point Assessment Standard.
• Regulated Qualifications Ofqual-regulated vocational qualifications spanning Entry Level 3 to Level 7 across sectors including fitness, coaching, health, sports, military, and alternative education.
• Alternative Education Pathways Suite of Ofqual-regulated qualifications designed for secondary school pupils requiring alternative curriculum, mainstream learners seeking value-added qualifications, post-16 learners, and adults seeking career entry qualifications.
• Transcend Football Coaches Suite Progressive suite of Ofqual-regulated qualifications for football coaches to extend their scope of professional practice through regulated qualifications in sector 8.1 Sport, Leisure, and Recreation.
• Transcend Playground Safety Suite Suite of Ofqual-regulated qualifications for professional development of playground and activity facility inspectors, from routine visual inspection to operational inspection roles.
• Transcend Level 6 Diploma For FIFA Technical Leaders Ofqual-regulated professional qualification developed in collaboration with FIFA, exclusively aligned to the FIFA Technical Leadership Professional Development Programme, enabling globally recognised certification for technical leaders in football.
• Transcend Level 6 Diploma in AOSB Assessment of Potential and Peer Mentoring Ofqual-regulated vocational qualification for Army Officer Selection Board roles including Group Leaders, Education Advisors, Deputy Presidents, and Vice Presidents.
• Transcend Level 5 Diploma in Risk Management of Security Operations Ofqual-regulated vocational qualification for professionals in managing and mitigating risks associated with security operations across diverse and complex environments.
• Transcend Food Safety Activists Suite Specialist qualification pathways integral to the Transcend Level 2 Award in Food Safety and Hygiene for care and activity environments.
• Transcend Infection Controllers Suite Specialist qualification pathways integral to the Transcend Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention, Mitigation and Management across various environments including leisure, gymnastics, fitness, swimming, and schools.
• Transcend Learner Services Learner support resources including career guidance, qualification selection assistance, and support for application to assessment processes.
• Recognised Centre Programme Accreditation programme for training providers to deliver Transcend qualifications with wraparound support and quality assurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Qualifications designed to deliver real-world outcomes with employer insight and industry input

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FIFAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with FIFA to develop and deliver the Transcend Level 6 Diploma for FIFA Technical Leaders - the first globally recognised qualification for technical leaders in football, aligned to FIFA's vision to make football truly global.
• Future FitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining provider partner for fitness and coaching qualifications. Ensures qualifications develop practical skills, mindset, and professional behaviours that employers seek.
• The FAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFootball association partner. Football coaches with FA Coaching Qualifications may be exempt from completing learning and assessment tasks via recognised prior learning (RPL).
• British Training Board (BTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with BTB for military veterans and public servants qualification suite relevant to BTB community of military professionals, veterans and public servants.
• Beth Tweddle GymnasticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle for the Transcend Level 3 Diploma in Coaching Beth Tweddle Gymnastics, aligned to Beth Tweddle Gymnastics principles and methodologies.
• UKSCA (United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Transcend Level 5 Diploma for UKSCA Licensed Assessors, designed to assess and accredit strength and conditioning professionals as part of UKSCA's licensing framework.
• CDS Defence & SecuritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical collaborator on behalf of AOSB for Army Officer Selection Board qualifications. Exclusive approved delivery partner for AOSB qualification pathways.
• RYNATcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and safety education specialist and technical collaborator for Playground Safety qualification suite. Technical advisor for health and safety officer qualifications.
• CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCIMSPA Education Partner. Transcend qualifications developed in line with CIMSPA Professional Standards for Pilates instructors and other roles.
• Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFull Member of the Federation of Awarding Bodies - the collective voice of the UK's world-class qualifications and assessments industry.
• UK ActivecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRecognised UK Active Supplier Member for fitness and physical activity industry qualifications.
• UK Skills PartnershipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate Member of UK Skills Partnership for skills development collaboration.
• CD Food ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood safety consultants as technical collaborators for Transcend Food Safety Activists qualification suite.
• INSPIRATUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfluential education provider and technical collaborator for cognitive skills qualifications development.
• Omnia FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRevolutionary independent school validated qualifications through industry consultation for alternative education pathways.
• Creative MindsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance and drama specialists as technical collaborators for Urban Shapes (Dance) qualification suite.
• JT Consultancy: DJ InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry influencer and technical collaborator for Urban Beats (Music) qualification suite.
• Rebekah and Jasmine Rose: Real MelodiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical collaborators for Urban Beats (Music) qualification alongside JT Consultancy.
• Ten-GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry leading education provider recognised as a centre and approved to deliver Playground Safety qualifications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Training Qualifications UK (TQUK): TQUK is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation offering vocational qualifications across diverse sectors. It is a direct peer to Transcend Awards in regulatory framework, qualification development, and centre-network-based delivery, competing for the same training provider customers across sectors like fitness, sport, and education.
• Highfield Qualifications: Highfield Qualifications is a UK Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation offering vocational qualifications and End-Point Assessment services across multiple sectors. It is a direct peer to Transcend Awards given shared regulatory framework, similar operating model (qualifications + EPA), and overlapping customer segments in vocational training and apprenticeships.
• Active IQ: Active IQ is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation specialising in fitness, sport, and physical activity qualifications - the same core verticals as Transcend Awards. It is a direct peer given shared sector focus (fitness/sport qualifications), shared regulatory framework (Ofqual), and overlapping target customers (training providers and learners in physical activity). Active IQ is a more established incumbent in this niche.
• Cache (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education): Cache is a UK Awarding Organisation offering Ofqual-regulated qualifications primarily in health, education, and care sectors. It is comparable to Transcend Awards as a regulated awarding body, particularly in delivering qualifications to training providers in people-focused sectors (parallel to Transcend's coaching/teaching/physical activity focus).
• AIM Awards: AIM Awards is an Ofqual-regulated Access Validating Agency and Awarding Organisation providing qualifications and quality assurance across education and training sectors. Comparable to Transcend Awards in operating as a smaller, regulated UK awarding body with a focus on niche qualification portfolios and a recognised centre delivery model.
• Innovate Awarding: Innovate Awarding is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation offering vocational qualifications in the UK. It is comparable to Transcend Awards in regulatory framework, qualification/EPA offering mix, and centre-network delivery model, representing a similarly-positioned mid-sized UK awarding body competitor.
• NCFE: NCFE is a UK-based Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation and End-Point Assessment Organisation offering vocational qualifications across multiple sectors. It is a direct peer to Transcend Awards - comparable in operating model (regulated qualifications, centre network, EPA services), regulatory framework (Ofqual), and target customer base (training providers and learners in vocationally-focused sectors).

Regional players

• FA Learning (The FA Education Programme): The FA (Football Association) runs its own coaching education programmes (FA Coaching Qualifications) through its regional and national FA Learning network. It is comparable to Transcend Awards in delivering football coaching qualifications in the UK market - the two organisations have an RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) partnership - though The FA operates its own system rather than a regulated Ofqual Awarding Organisation model.

Broad incumbents

• City & Guilds: City & Guilds is one of the UK's largest and most established Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisations, offering vocational qualifications across many sectors. It is comparable to Transcend Awards as a UK awarding body operating under the same Ofqual regulatory framework, though it operates at significantly larger scale and across broader sector coverage than Transcend's sport/fitness-focused portfolio.
• Pearson (BTEC / Edexcel): Pearson is a global education company and Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation operating the BTEC and Edexcel qualification brands. Comparable to Transcend Awards in offering Ofqual-regulated vocational qualifications through a centre network, but with vastly larger scale, global brand recognition, and broader portfolio including higher education and international markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AwardsTranscend
• Facebookfacebook.com/transformwithtranscend
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/transcend-awards-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/transcendawards

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Transcend Awards