The Event has Ended
MAT Growth Conference 2023 – Developing through challenging times
08:00 am
09 May, 2023
15 Hatfields Conference Centre, London SE1 8DJ
MAT Growth Conference 2023 – Developing through challenging times
08:00 am
09 May, 2023
15 Hatfields Conference Centre, London SE1 8DJ
MAT Growth Conference 2023 – Developing through challenging times
In an academic year that brought us the 2030 schools whitepaper, The MAT Growth Conference is a one-day event that will bring together educators, senior leaders, and organisations. The sector is facing unprecedented times and this conference has been designed to advise and support Trust leaders to navigate this.
Our comprehensive programme which combines keynote speeches, workshops and panel sessions, will aim to provide tips, best practice and strategies to deliver the successful onboarding of schools and achieving sustainable growth.
The conference is completely free to attend*, and a hot lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the networking breaks. If you are looking to be at the forefront of Trusts driving growth, book your place below!
*Complimentary tickets applicable to education leaders only.
MAT Growth Conference 2023 – Developing through challenging times Key Subjects
Sessions delivered on the day will be topics around:
- Strategies for effective and sustainable growth of multi academy trusts
- Tips on growing a small/medium sized trust
- How to deliver effective governance in a growing trust?
- Collaboration, sponsorship and partnerships - how these can support Trust growth
- Pan regional growth - Growing beyond a single locality.
- Developing a people strategy for a growing workforce
- The role and challenges of Trust mergers
Who will Attend
- CEOs & Exec Headteachers of Trusts
- COOs of Trusts
- CFOs of Trusts
- Headteachers
- Finance Leads
- Trust/School Business Managers
- Deputy Heads/CEOs
Your Pass Includes....
- Multiple live keynote presentations
- Breakfast, Lunch and Refreshments included
- Meet the supplier sessions.
- Networking opportunity
- Live Q&A sessions with all speakers on the day
- Access to post-conference drinks reception – wines, beers and soft drinks will be provided
Speakers
Barry Smith
Head of Business Development
Sam Henson (Chair of Panel)
Director of Policy and Information
Victoria Del Giudice
Chair of the Board
Sponsors & Partners
The Agenda
08:00
Registration, Networking & Breakfast
Registration, Networking & Breakfast
09:00
Chairs Welcoming Address
Karen Burns
CEO
Victorious Academies Trust
Chairs Welcoming Address
09:10
Keynote Session – Putting workforce first – Building a people strategy that is ‘ready’ to support growth
Karen Burns
CEO
Victorious Academies Trust
Karen Burns, our chair for the day will open the day with this session. Karen will detail the "how" and "why" behind a strong Trust people strategy. It highlights the critical role that prioritizing the workforce plays in the success of the MAT and onboarding process of academies.
09:35
Keynote Session: Improving efficiencies in the MAT’s business operations as it grows, through automation and integration of processes
Barry Smith
Head of Business Development
Strictly Education
Integration of back office systems is critical for a MAT to operate effectively and efficiently. It can save time, reduce errors, improve visibility, and enable the MAT to make data-driven decisions that ultimately benefit the organisation as a whole. We will share details of two growing MATs that are implementing integrations, the lessons they have learned, and their future aspirations.
10:00
Workshop Session – Developing the trusts ‘offering’ – How sponsorships and partnerships can support trust growth?
Matthew Crawford
CEO
Embark Federation
In this workshop we will explore how sponsorships and partnerships with businesses and community organisations and support growth. We will discuss funding opportunities and the latest in how other trusts are innovating to drive income generation across the schools and central Trust, whilst also maintaining their alignment to values and goals.
10:25
Keynote Session – When are we One, when are we Many? Building a MAT IT Strategy
Luke Nicolaou
Chief Executive Officer
eduthing
James Penny
Chief Commercial Officer
eduthing
In this session Luke and James will explore the opportunities and challenges for IT provision that emerge as schools join a MAT. From a comprehensive central IT service that is delivered to all schools, to a devolved approach, there are options that present opportunities to leverage scale for procurement, service provision and infrastructure management. Do you completely outsource your IT support or do you build a hybrid model? How does your IT provision support the vision and ethos of the MAT? Like every other area as a MAT grows, IT needs consideration to build the right service for your organisation that is scalable and cost effective.
10:50
Morning Break, Networking & Refreshments
Morning Break, Networking & Refreshments
11:30
Keynote Session – Growth through Merger: One CEO’s Perspective
Garry Ratcliffe
CEO
The Golden Thread Alliance
Garry Ratcliffe CEO of newly-formed, The Golden Thread Alliance, navigates the audience through the stages of merger – from the initial conversation, to launch date – and every bump along the road in between! Garry provides an honest appraisal of the process, as well as some useful tips and strategies to make any possible merger just that little bit simpler!
11:55
Keynote Session – For all schools to be in strong multi-academy trusts
Ross Bennett
Commercial Director
Engaging Education
Andrew Riches
CEO
IPAT Multi Academy Trust
This session will look at ensuring you create the compelling narrative that ensures your MAT stands out and is recognised as a strong Trust, ready to grow.
We will explore the key indicators and the key messages that need to be in place to put you in the strongest position as a Trust.
12:25
Workshop Session - Your Executive team is ready for growth, but is the rest of your Trust?
Sarah Findlay-Cobb
Chief Executive Officer
Landau Forte Charitable Trust
The Trust growth mindset…
This session will focus on:
- The key decisions and questions for growth
- The processes that are involved and who they involve
- Transparency and the dialogue of growth
12:50
Lunch and Networking
Lunch and Networking
13:50
Keynote Session - Trust Growth - Our Journey and the lessons learnt
Lois Whitehouse
Chief Executive Officer
Inspire Education Trust
Rob Darling
Head of Primary Education
Inspire Education Trust
Keynote
14:15
Panel Discussion – A ‘strong’ trust requires great governance – challenges and obstacles of governance in 2023
Matthew Crawford
CEO
Embark Federation
Andrew Riches
CEO
IPAT Multi Academy Trust
Sam Henson (Chair of Panel)
Director of Policy and Information
NGA
Karen Burns
CEO
Victorious Academies Trust
Victoria Del Giudice
Chair of the Board
Ethos Academy Trust
The panellists will discuss the importance of strong governance, but also the challenges and obstacles we are facing in 2023. By the end of the session attendees will have received tangible advice on how to take on some of the following concerns: changing regulatory landscape, assuring accountability, clearer communication and better collaboration with trustees.
NGA – Sam Henson – Chairing the panel at 14:15
15:00
Drinks Reception
Drinks Reception
16:00
Close of Day
Close of Day
MAT Growth Conference 2023 - Developing through challenging times - Photo Gallery
