Shared Services Forum UK is delighted to announce a new collaboration with the CPD Standards Office, part of the Professional Development Consortium, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high‑quality, CPD‑accredited learning experiences for our membership community. As one of the key benefits of SSF UK membership, our CPD‑accredited events support continuous growth, professional development, and excellence across the Shared Services and GBS sector and this partnership further enhances that promise.
The CPD Standards Office is internationally recognised for its mission to raise the quality of Continuing Professional Development across all industries. Through independent accreditation, they assess, benchmark, and certify training, events, coaching, and digital learning activities to ensure they meet rigorous professional standards. As part of the Professional Development Consortium, they work closely with organisations, providers, and professional bodies to build consistency, trust, and best practice across the CPD landscape.
While many professionals benefit from CPD every day, few stop to ask what CPD accreditation truly means, or why it matters.
The CPD Standards Office provides independent verification that a learning activity meets high‑quality criteria and is suitable for inclusion in a formal CPD record. Their accreditation spans a wide variety of learning formats, including:
A CPD activity can be anything from formal instructor‑led programmes to informal, work‑based learning such as mentoring or e‑learning, reflecting the broad and evolving nature of professional development.
This collaboration benefits SSF UK members in several meaningful ways:
Independent accreditation provides a recognised kite mark of quality, helping professionals evidence their development with assurance that the learning meets national standards.
CPD accreditation ensures learning is aligned with professional expectations, supports competency growth, and enhances employability across sectors.
The CPD Standards Office conducts extensive research into CPD quality, addressing common gaps such as inconsistent delivery or oversimplified course content. Their accreditation ensures training is engaging, relevant, and professionally robust.
For providers, CPD accreditation enhances reputation, boosts sales, and opens doors to new markets by helping them stand out from competitors. It also offers promotional opportunities within the CPD ecosystem, reaching thousands of HR and L&D professionals.
The CPD Standards Office not only accredits activities, but also provides expert advice and guidance, helping organisations become “CPD Ready.” Their team supports training providers, coaches, events companies, and learning designers through every step of the accreditation process, ensuring quality, consistency, and measurable learning outcomes.
Through this partnership, SSF UK strengthens its ongoing commitment to delivering trusted, high‑quality learning experiences that help Shared Services professionals grow, develop, and thrive.
We are also pleased to share that the CPD Standards Office will be exhibiting at this year’s Future Vision: Resilience Rebooted Annual Conference within our Innovation Zone. This gives members a unique opportunity to meet the CPD team in person, explore accreditation pathways, ask questions, and learn how CPD can elevate professional development within their organisations.
Their presence at our flagship event supports our shared mission to empower professionals with the tools, insight, and high‑quality learning experiences needed to excel in an evolving shared services landscape.
CPD is more than a requirement, it is an investment in talent, capability, and the future of the profession. By collaborating with the CPD Standards Office, SSF UK continues to champion the highest standards of professional development for its members.
Together, we are working to ensure that every event, workshop, and learning experience meets the benchmark for excellence, supports the needs of modern professionals, and contributes to a stronger, more capable Shared Services community.
