Assessor panel

Independent, structured course review — delivered by experienced assessors using consistent criteria and clear feedback.

Our panel spans L&D, technology, risk, and leadership — with 200+ years of combined trainer/accreditation experience.

Why a panel matters

CPD accreditation should never be a rubber stamp. A panel approach helps us stay fair, consistent, and defensible — and gives providers practical feedback that improves course quality.

  • Independent review — assessors are not involved in selling your course.
  • Consistent criteria — structured rubric applied across sectors and formats.
  • Course–assessor matching — we align reviewers to the course topic and audience.
  • Actionable feedback — strengths + improvements, clearly stated.
  • Clear outcomes — Accredited / Accredited with minor actions / Not accredited (with guidance).

What assessors look for

The essentials that make training credible and consistent.

  • Learning outcomes that match the audience and content
  • A coherent structure, materials, and sensible time allocation
  • A credible evaluation / verification approach (as relevant)
  • Trainer credibility and delivery fit (bio + experience)
  • Clear versioning (so everyone knows what was approved)

Apply See the process

How assessor review works

Simple, transparent, and designed to be provider-friendly.

Relevance

Is the content appropriate for the audience and stated purpose, with clear learning outcomes?

Design

Is the structure clear, with quality materials and time allocation that supports learning?

Verification

Is there a credible way to verify participation and evaluate learning (as appropriate)?

If something is missing, we’ll suggest a simple, acceptable option — and tell you exactly what to improve.

Meet the assessors

These are the core assessor profiles behind CPD Ireland’s structured review process.

Fiona Hannon

Microsoft 365 certified • L&D content curator (30 years)

Fiona brings three decades in learning & development, with deep practical experience curating course content and shaping learner-friendly materials. She’s also a Microsoft 365 certified expert — ideal for digital skills and modern workplace learning.

  • Outcome clarity + course structure
  • Material quality (slides, workbooks, eLearning)
  • Evidence of learning and evaluation fit
L&DMicrosoft 365Course design

Declan McNally

Senior programming expert (25 years)

Declan has 25 years’ experience in programming and technical delivery. He’s well-suited to assess technical training for clarity, accuracy, and whether a course genuinely builds competence (not just theory).

  • Technical accuracy + up-to-date practice
  • Skills progression (beginner → intermediate → advanced)
  • Practical exercises and credible assessment
ProgrammingTechnical skillsAssessment

Mark Feeney

IT technical & databases (25 years)

Mark specialises in IT systems and databases, with 25 years’ technical experience. He reviews tech and data courses for structure, practical applicability, and whether the learning outcomes match what learners will be expected to do on the job.

  • Database / data-skills credibility
  • Hands-on elements + learning evidence
  • Clarity for mixed learner levels
ITDatabasesData skills

Luis Medina

Risk Manager (15 years)

Luis is a risk professional with 15 years’ experience. He’s a strong fit for governance, risk, compliance and operational-risk training — with a sharp focus on evidence, decision-making, and real-world application.

  • Risk frameworks + practical application
  • Scenario realism and learner judgement
  • Defensible verification / evaluation methods
RiskGovernanceCompliance

Tom Kinsella

Technical specialist (30 years)

Tom brings 30 years of technical experience, with a practical lens on competence, clarity, and what “good” looks like in technical training. He’s especially useful where courses involve procedures, tools, or operational standards.

  • Competence-focused outcomes
  • Clarity of method, steps, and safe practice
  • Evidence that learning transfers to work
Technical trainingCompetenceStandards

Gordon Berrie

Leadership & management training consultant (30 years)

Gordon has spent 30 years consulting in leadership and management development. He reviews people-skills programmes for practical tools, behavioural outcomes, and whether the design supports real change — not just good intentions.

  • Clear, measurable leadership outcomes
  • Practical frameworks and workplace tools
  • Evaluation beyond “happy sheets”
LeadershipManagementPeople development

TJ Byrne

Leadership development & executive coaching (45 years)

TJ designed and delivered management induction within AIB Bank and AIB Capital Markets, working with over 800 managers on leadership development. He has also delivered executive coaching programmes for organisations including Yahoo, Fáilte Ireland, Topaz Energy, FETAC and the HSE.

  • Leadership programmes that build real capability
  • Credible delivery plan and facilitation quality
  • Coaching-style evaluation and reflective practice
LeadershipExecutive coachingInduction

Kathleen Halligan

Org effectiveness • change • coaching (25 years)

Kathleen specialises in Organisation Effectiveness & Design, Leadership & Talent Development, Change Management and Business Coaching. With 25 years’ experience, she’s ideally suited to assess strategic people programmes and organisational capability training.

  • Change and talent outcomes that are measurable
  • Programme structure that supports application
  • Practical feedback loops and evaluation
ChangeTalentOrg design

Assessors are matched to course topic and audience, and conflict-of-interest checks are applied before review.

Independence & consistency

We take impartiality seriously. Assessors declare conflicts before review, and recuse where there’s any real or perceived conflict. We also calibrate decisions so outcomes stay consistent across assessors and sectors.

  • Conflict-of-interest declaration before review
  • Recusal where needed
  • Structured rubric and scoring notes
  • Moderation for edge cases
  • Documented audit trail

What providers receive

Every accredited course comes with clear proof you can show to buyers and learners.

  • Course-specific CPD accreditation certificate
  • CPD Ireland badge for your website + brochures
  • Feedback summary: strengths + improvements
  • Clear CPD hours allocation + course descriptor