RCPod appoints new Head of Education & Academic Quality Assurance
Coreen Beckford brings considerable experience in education, accreditation and quality assurance to key RCPod role
The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) has today announced the appointment of Coreen Beckford as its new Head of Education & Academic Quality Assurance.
Coreen brings a wealth of experience in education, quality assurance and strategic leadership.
As Head of Education & Academic Quality Assurance, Coreen will lead the College's plans to develop podiatry education, accreditation and professional standards. She will oversee education strategy, accreditation processes and CPD standards while working closely with regulators, educational institutions and professional bodies. Her role will be vital in establishing the RCPod as the leading authority on podiatric education, ensuring high-quality training for academic and clinical excellence.
Jane Pritchard, RCPod Chief Executive and General Secretary, said:
"We are delighted to welcome Coreen to the Royal College of Podiatry. Her extensive experience and commitment to quality assurance and education make her an ideal fit for this role. We are confident that she will make a significant contribution to the College and its members.”
Coreen Beckford, the RCPod’s new Head of Education & Academic Quality Assurance said:
"I am excited to bring my proficiency in education to the Royal College of Podiatry. I look forward to working with the RCPod’s teams to maintain high standards in podiatric education for the profession, patients and the public. The RCPod’s five-year strategy sets ambitious goals for education and clinical knowledge, and I can’t wait to get started.”
This announcement follows the recent appointment of Dr Helen Branthwaite as the RCPod’s new Chief Clinical Advisor. Together, these senior appointments mark the completion of a significant recruitment process to strengthen the leadership in the RCPod’s Clinical Leadership and Education functions.
Coreen will start her new role on 17 March 2025.
About Coreen Beckford
With over 20 years of experience in the health professional body and regulation sector, Coreen has worked across both animal and human health. Previously, she served as Registrar for the Farriers’ Company, a Livery Company of the City of London, where she established the examination body for Farriery fellowships and assessments.
Coreen has also held senior roles as the Head of Examinations at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and as the Head of Dental and Surgical Examinations at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
In her career, she has strengthened member and stakeholder relationships and built international assessment teams. Additionally, she led academic administration operations at University College London’s Qatar campus, overseeing postgraduate research, examination processes, bursary allocations and quality assurance reporting.
She holds an MA in Educational Assessment and is a certified lead auditor under the ISO 9000 framework. Coreen also contributes as Chair of the Education Management Group for England Athletics and serves as a Reading Committee Assessor for the UK government’s Chevening Scholarship Programme.