About Vocadia
Vocadia exists to provide calm, senior-level support to organisations navigating complexity, change, and regulatory expectations. Built on deep experience across awarding/assessment organisations, charities, and the wider skills sector, Vocadia brings clarity, structure, and confidence to leaders who carry significant responsibility.
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Our work is grounded in a simple belief: organisations thrive when leaders have the space, insight, and support to make thoughtful, well-informed decisions.
Our Ethos
Vocadia was founded on principles of integrity, clarity and human-centred leadership. We understand the pressures facing regulated organisations - and we know that effective support must be both discreet and grounded in real operational experience.
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We bring a warm, calm, and steady presence to complex situations, helping leaders cut through the noise, align around purpose, and move forward with confidence.
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Compliance - Clarity - Confidence
Our Approach
Calm, senior-level partnership
Vocadia provider the kind of support leaders value most: thoughtful, measured, and grounded in experience. We work alongside you - offering clarity without judgement and structure without rigidity
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Discreet and trusted
Much of our work involves sensitive conversations, governance challenges, or regulatory scrutiny. We offer complete discretion, creating a safe space for honest reflection and confident decision-making.
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Practical and grounded
Our advice is rooted in real-world leadership experience - from executive roles to board governance and sector reform. We understand the operational realities behind strategy, regulation, and organisational change.
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Human and relational
Vocadia's style is warm, respectful, and collaborative. We build trust quickly and work in a way that brings people together, not apart.
Who We Support
Vocadia works with organisations that hold public trust and deliver meaningful impact, including:
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Awarding Organisations
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Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations
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Charities and social purpose organisations
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Boards, governance committees, and trustees
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Organisations preparing for regulatory scrutiny or strategic change
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Employers and training providers engaging in apprenticeships
Our clients value thoughtful partnership, sector insight, and a calm knowledgeable steady hand.
Experience and Leadership
Vocadia is led by James Stockdale, a senior leader with extensive experience across the skills, education, and charity sectors. James has served as a Chief Executive, board chair, strategic adviser, Responsible Officer to Ofqual, and sector consultant - leading organisations through transformation, regulatory reform, and complex governance challenges.
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His background includes:
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Executive leadership in awarding organisations and charities
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Chair of the Board of Trustees at OCN London
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Director of the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB)
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Responsible Officer to Ofqual, and other regulators, for four different awarding organisations
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Leading organisational turnaround, digital transformation, and compliance reform
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Delivering national qualification change programmes
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Supporting boards and executive teams though governance reviews and strategic alignment
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Guiding organisations through regulatory audits.
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James brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, regulatory understanding, and human-centred leadership - qualities that shape Vocadia's entire approach.
Book a Confidential Conversation
If you'd like to explore how Vocadia can support your organisation, we'd be happy to talk.
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A confidential conversation is often the best first step.
Vocadia's vision is to empower awarding and assessment organisations to thrive in a complex regulatory landscape, ensuring high-quality, fair and trusted outcomes for every learner
Vocadia's mission is to help organisations to navigate regulatory complexity, modernise their operations and bring strong governance foundations through expert guidance, independent assurance, and strategic leadership support.