DTT Edward Thomas Nov 2022
Developing the Trust
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20. Phil Reynolds; Formerly of Kreston Reeves and now PLR Advisory
Developing the Trust
For this episode Tim Warneford is in Sittingbourne in Kent to speak to Phil Reynolds. Phil has spent over 20 years specialising in academy schools accountancy firstly at pecialist accountants Kreston Reeves and now with his own consultancy PLR Advisory We explore how specialist accountancy can assist schools determine a trust strategy and how upskilling in house SLTT through training and development can achieve operational wins.
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19. James Robson, Chairman of Powerful Allies
Developing the Trust
For this episode Tim Warneford travels to Wiltshire to speak to Powerful Allies Chairman, James Robson, about the risks posed to academy schools for energy procurement in an un-regulated market place.
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18. CIF Update and How to Create a Successful Bid
Developing the Trust
The hot topic of conversation across the sector is the recent update from the ESFA, revealing that the much awaited publication of the 2021-22 round of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) awards, have been postponed until ‘mid-June’.
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17. Harvey Sinclair, CEO E Energy PLC
Developing the Trust
On this episode Tim talks to Harvey Sinclair, a technology entrepreneur and CEO of E Energy PLC about the fast-moving world of lighting and also electrified heating discussing how schools can save energy and indeed costs by changing their electrics.
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16. Steve Bolt, Director of BCR Associates
Developing the Trust
Tim Warneford is in Alton, Hampshire, with Steve Bolt, director of BCR Associates, a cost management consultancy that support clients – including academies - to increase efficiency, manage risk, ensure compliance and rationalise procurement costs. Tim and Steve are also working on a collaboration with Lloyds Bank education team to support academy trusts seeking to assist academy trust to optimise resources and maximise potential.
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15. Kevin Yardley, Director of Income Generation of The Generations Multi Academy Trust
Developing the Trust
Tim Warneford is once again out and about now lockdown is easing – travelling and recording with all social distancing in mind of course - to speak to Kevin Yardley at The Generations Multi Academy Trust. Kevin is director of income generation and his role is to ensure the estates facilities yield substantial revenue streams through optimising letting opportunities and via external partnerships.
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14. Jeremy Pilgrim, School Property Matters
Developing the Trust
For this episode Tim Warneford is in Bedfordshire to speak to Jeremy Pilgrim from School Property Matters who are independent experts in pupil capacity and have worked with over 2500 schools so far.
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13. Graham Fitzgerald, General Practice and Audit Director at Baldwin Accountants, Baldwin Accountants
Developing the Trust
This week Tim Warneford is in Stockton-on-Tees to speak to Graham Fitzgerald, general practice and audit director at Baldwin Accountants. As well as dealing with commercial organisations, Graham specialises in the education sector, providing audit and advisory services and working with over forty academy schools including an increasing number of multi academy trusts.
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12. Lara Harvard and Zoe Forbes from Ecosphere and Gareth Williams from Eden Sustainable
Developing the Trust
Tim Warneford is in London’s West End with Lara Harvard and Zoe Forbes from Ecosphere and Gareth Williams from Eden Sustainable talking about how schools and academy trusts can both save money and also be much greener by installing better energy systems and also their exclusive offer available to both academy trusts and state schools.
info_outlineFor this episode Tim Warneford travels to Bristol, to speak to one of the most successful academy sector firms of solicitors, VWV and to Jaime Hobday and Robin Rajanah about their experience in supporting academies and also their vision for the future of the sector.
On this episode we cover:
How they both became involved in education
The strengths and weaknesses of LEA schools versus academy schools
Academies having to learn on the job and quite quickly
Managing one school being very different to multiple
Academy staff becoming more savvy
Universities starting from a higher and more significant estate portfolio
Being politically easier to dispose of land in higher or further education than for schools and academies
The continually frustration of academy with having to apply for consent to dispose of land
Successes over the last ten years
The early converters being in the dark about how to convert
Academies working for schools that need improvement
Schools in academies awareness of property issues and opportunities growing
Skills within these schools grown significantly
Where education has been successfully cascaded down in academies
Hosting events to create opportunities to get people to talk about their experiences
Often inking clients and contacts together at the firm
Being a good amount of humility in the sector with learning new skills
Close to 80% of secondary schools having transferred to academies
Researching schools to assess their needs
How regional school commissioners prefer schools to be in larger MATs – four schools upwards – particularly with primaries
Inconsistency across LEAs about the conversion process
The challenges and benefits of land disposal
Secondary schools in Bedfordshire selling off farms
Advising schools to talk to the EFSA as soon as they can
Land disposal helping with the housing shortage
Frustrations about the speed at which re-brokerages and sponsored conversions have to be completed
Lack of time meaning less time for due diligence
Assessing the finances and deficit position key to first step
How schools need to be educated in what the risks and liabilities look like
Conferences being a good way of doing this
Regular communication with other organisations – such as Lloyds – helping with sector knowledge
A large part of their service being about doing the things needed before they need them
The DFE using conversion to formalise processes
Holding a kick off meeting with new conversion clients
Making legal concepts easier to understand
Poor condition surveys
Jaime’s passion for governance, finding out their ethos and helping them really understand their vision
Robin’s wish to help academy trusts make the most of their estate
The more fit for purpose the estate and facilities, the better the opportunities for the children