BUSINESS & FINANCE THEATRE

Dive into learning at the #SAASHOW!

10:00am to 10:45am | Better Buying: Understanding the Procurement Act 2023

• Give you an overview of the Procurement Act

• Provide information about what this means for your school or trust

• What to consider for your procurement planning and process

Confirmed Speakers:

Lana Stoyles
Head of Business Transformation
Nexus Multi Academy Trust

Mark Pearson
Learning and Development Lead
Crescent Purchasing Consortium

Tim Brown
Stakeholder and Engagement Manager
Department for Education

Kevin Draisey

Head of Procurement Operation

Department for Education

10:55am to 11:25am | Navigating Political Change and Its Impact on Leadership in Education 

  • We address the impact of recent political changes on schools and trust under 3 channels, Education, Financial and Employment. 

  • We’ll review insightful EPM data on employment cases how people leaders spend their time, projecting how these focus areas are expected to evolve with interventions and upcoming employment law changes. 

  • We’ll delve into national statistics to highlight the urgency of navigating this evolving landscape. Finally, we’ll discuss practical steps leaders can take. 

  • With EPM’s expertise and resources, schools can effectively address these challenges, ensuring compliance and minimizing disruptions to educational quality. 

  • This overview sets the stage for discussing the broader implications of political change on education, highlighting actionable insights and support EPM can provide. 

Confirmed Speakers:

Jen Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Education Personnel Management Ltd

Andy Mackey
Chief Operating Officer
Education Personnel Management Ltd

Session Hosted By EPM

11:35am to 12:05pm | Take Control of Your Spend: Embracing Smart E-Procurement Solutions

• Discover how the latest e-procurement tools can save you time, ensure you’re getting value for money, and meeting your sustainability commitments
• Hear from key education supplier, KCS, who will share best practice and top tips for effective e-procurement across your trust
• A must-see session for CFOs, FDs and finance teams in schools and multi academy trusts

Confirmed Speakers

Rikki Harrison
Senior Partner Manager
IRIS Education

Sarah Wright

Strategic Accounts

KCS Education

12:15pm to 12:45pm | Building greater financial visibility and understanding through MAT finance data

• The missing piece: forward-looking analysis of Trust budget projections.

• Key findings from the IMP MAT Finance Sector Benchmarking Report, launched in association with CST.

• MAT peer group learnings, and what this means for your trust.

Confirmed Speakers:

Samuel Skerrit
Director of Public Affairs and Policy
Confederation of School Trust

Will Jordan
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
IMP Software

12:55pm to 1:25pm | The Secrets of Successful CFOs in Schools or Multi Academy Trusts 

The 3 frontiers of finance leadership reveal the critical skills and forward-thinking approaches that today’s finance leaders in education need to thrive.

  1. Innovate by incorporating AI and data analytics to support schools in achieving future financial sustainability.

  2. Strategic leadership & tech savviness: Combine strategic vision with technological insight to enhance decision-making across your trust or school.

  3. Achieve work-life harmony: Prioritise personal well-being alongside professional success, ensuring the long-term financial health of your institution.

Confirmed Speaker:

Daniel McDonald
Partner Manager / Education Vertical Lead
Sage Group

1:35pm to 2:05pm | Balancing Budgets and Talent: Navigating HR Challenges in a New Financial Landscape

With tightening budgets across the education sector, HR teams face the complex task of supporting school priorities while managing financial constraints. This session explores strategic HR approaches that balance fiscal responsibility with talent retention and development. We'll examine effective ways to collaborate with senior leaders, make data-driven decisions, and navigate restructuring processes, ensuring that your HR efforts support sustainable growth and a resilient workforce, even in challenging financial times.

Confirmed Speakers:

Stephen Mitchell
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Keystone Knowledge

2:15pm to 2:45pm | Preparing for The Expiry of Your PFI: “But What Can I Do ?”

• Managing the expiry of your PFI contracts

• What can you do to influence the outcomes of your PFI experience – mechanisms for control and improving outcomes

• Preparing for ‘Business as Usual’ post expiry

Confirmed Speakers:

Ian Denison
Director
Inscyte Ltd

Andrew Chubb
Director
Project FPI

3:00pm to 3:30pm | How to Manage Your School’s Finances on Limited Resources

• How to respond to working at a budget deficit: what steps your setting should undertake

• Selecting expenditure priorities and non-negotiables

• Using benchmarking to identify efficiency savings

• Addressing challenges in 12-month cash flows and restricted monies

Confirmed Speakers:

Clare Skinner
Business Manager
Kings Norton Girls School

Chris Christoforou
Chief Financial Officer
 Excelsior Multi Academy Trust