 Burgess is chair of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the Research Information Network, and the UUK/Guild HE Teacher Education Advisory Group.In 2007, Burgess chaired the steering group that produced the Burgess Report, calling for sweeping changes in university degree classification that would replace the established system of first- and second class degrees.Burgess was knighted in the 2010 New Year Honours.