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_outlineThis week Tim travels to Coventry to speak to Bethan Cullen, Commercial Director of the Institute of School Business Leadership - the first port of call for academy schools looking for best practice.
On this episode Bethan talks about:
Being inspired by her primary teacher mother - running a budget and a school without the resources
Joining what was the National Association of School Business Management nine years ago
Schools now being their own professional entity
With core business strengths
How she thinks things have developed
The National College driving through efficiency in schools
Estelle Morris helping to develop core resources in schools
Helping head teachers to drive through better resource management
How education cannot stand still as a profession
Schools having to collaborate more
Schools having to develop further skills
Needing to be at the forefront of education
How the first 100 days after academy conversion are key
Schools needing to do due diligence before becoming an academy
Needing the right players to negotiate arrangements
Speaking to the local authority about the state of a building before conversion
The challenges schools go through in transition
Developing clear guidance of the processes for schools
How schools needs to build in time to benchmark buying in professional services
Looking at how the money is spent
Looking at what abilities are already in the organisation or the group
How some schools might be transferring with a legacy of problems
Issues with school buildings such as asbestos
Trying to make sure that every school stands the best chance of survival
Academisation being a difficult minefield for smaller schools to navigate
CPD being critical as can going to a network, having training, reading quality assured guidance
Trying to demystify what schools need to unwrap
The key moment being prior to academisation
Schools increasing need to specialise
Schools bringing increasing revenue streams from out of hours
ISBL’s member magazine writing a lot about the subject
How the term ‘income generation’ can put schools off
Primary schools having less available resources to manage such activities
No evidence to show educational standard is higher in academies
Evidence however that the high performing schools are more attractive
Environment in schools affecting performance
Organisations collaborating through aggregation
The greatest impact Bethan would personally like to bring
Setting the benchmark for good practise
Wanting school business leadership to be seen as a career
How the school sector can collaborate with professional services to ensure a smooth transition to academisation
How ISBL can help facilitate between all different partners