Programme - Wednesday 24th September 2025

Registration for TPAC '25 opens at 9:00am

9:15 - Opening

9:30 - What is a 'reasonable' adjustment

Speaker: Jackie Panter - Kaplan

A common topic in the assessment sector, but one that still raises points for discussion, this session aims to explore the questions:

When can a reasonable adjustment affect competancy?
How do reasonable adjustments translate into the workplace?
What exactly do we mean by an 'accessible' assessment?

10:15 - Overcome the challenges of assessor and examiner recruitment

Chair: Joseph Oakley - Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

Panel: Merv Young - Faculty of Occupational Medicine / Sandra Homes - College of Optometrists / Heidi Shankster - RICS / Geoff Chapman - Senior Consultant

In this first panel of the day, or speakers bring insight and experience to the world of assessor recruitment. We'll be investigating:

The benefits of paid vs. voluntary team members
Attracting new talent in the face of modern job expectations
Covering the costs of your team
How to ensure consistency

11:00 - Break

11:20 - How are remote assessments working for you?

Chair: James Carter - Eintech

Panel: Anna Howard - CIPFA / Russell Ampofo - RCoA / Jaqueline Martin - APM / Catherine Christmas - ICAEW / Karen Brocklesby - Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Around for years, accelerated by world events, and still very much a part of our lives - Remote Assessments are still a hot topic of discussion. This panel of experts, chaired by James Carter of Eintech, will discuss:

What has been working well for their organisations
Honestly explore the challenges faced along the way and how these were overcome
Creating wish-lists to guide the future development of assessment platforms
Practical advice on combatting identity fraud, malpractice and plagiarism

12:15 - Policy and Skills bitesize session from FAB

12:30 - Lunch and Networking

1:30 - Should AI be a priority?

Chair: Tim Burnett - Test Community Network

Panel: Andrew Balch - Consultant / Matt Wingfield - eAA / Romana Moss - Royal College of Emergency Medicine / Rayhaan Vankalwala - Bates Wells / Julia Martin - Independent Schools Examination Board

Whether you love or loathe it, AI is here to stay and moving at pace. This panel of experts, chaired by Tim Burnett, will examine how AI has been used to practically support exam modernisation, while observing pitfalls to avoid, and where organisations wanting to get on board should be prioritising their efforts.

2:30 - Break and Networking

2:45 - What is the cost of ensuring assessment quality process?

Chair: Nicola Mellor - Chartered Insurance Institute

Panel: Richard Hankins - Kaplan Professional Awards / Rebecca Bradley - Royal College of Surgeons / Caroline Murray - Chartered Banker Institute

Chaired by Nicola Mellor of the Chartered Insurance Institute, our final panel of the day is not something to be missed. Our experts will use their extensive experience to discuss:

What a 'good practice' assessment looks like
How robust assessment design can ensure valid delivery
How to respond to challenges regarding assessment validity
Challenges associated with assessment fees