Developing the Trust

DTT Edward Thomas Nov 2022

20. Phil Reynolds; Formerly of Kreston Reeves and now PLR Advisory

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.

19. James Robson, Chairman of Powerful Allies

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.    On this episode we discuss:   The raw deals schools are getting with energy contracts  Opaque culture of energy procurement system Seems against schools interests Risks facing schools in unregulated market James Robson's path to the academy sector His background in av...

18. CIF Update and How to Create a Successful Bid

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’. This episode looks at the impact of the delay, why CIF bids fail and how to ensure your CIF submission stands the best chance of success.   On this episode we explore:   The latest news on CIF The announcement being not was anticipated. The updates on...

17. Harvey Sinclair, CEO E Energy PLC

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.   On this episode we cover:  Harvey’s background in the industry Schools struggling with capital investment Efficiency upgrades always way down the list Switching to LED to fund savings Salix being attractive but fraught with proble...

16. Steve Bolt, Director of BCR Associates

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.   On this episode we cover:   The challenges of managi...

15. Kevin Yardley, Director of Income Generation of The Generations Multi Academy 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.   On this episode we cover:   The impact of Covid 19 Being lucky that the trust is fin...

14. Jeremy Pilgrim, School Property Matters

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.   On this episode we cover:   Working with over 2500+ schools Staring with only LEAs then Academies then MATs The government origins of MATs Feeling academisation brought freedom and autonomy Although some of this has been reined in with MATs Pros and cons of MATs v LEAs Wheth...

13. Graham Fitzgerald, General Practice and Audit Director at Baldwin Accountants, Baldwin Accountants

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.    On this episode we cover:   How they entered the academy client market Rapidly expanding through word of mouth re...

12. Lara Harvard and Zoe Forbes from Ecosphere and Gareth Williams from Eden Sustainable

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. On this episode we cover: Eden Sustainable working with academy trusts and state schools that offer free solar systems to save bills Agreeing to buy powe...

11. Chris Rose, Director, Karadoo Finance, Donate My School, Windsor

Tim Warneford is in Windsor to speak to Chris Rose, Director, Karadoo Finance, Donate My School, a company that launched in 2018 with the function of creating and running crowdfunding campaigns for schools.   On this episode we cover:   Finding the Independent schools sector unusual in operation Launching into the state school sector Quickly becoming apparent the was a need for what they do Being a commercial business that loves seeing a positive impact the sereice has on schoo...

10. Janice Finnimore, School Business Manager, Eggers Secondary School, Alton, Hampshire

On episode 10, Tim Warneford is in Alton, Hampshire, talking to Janice Finnimore, Schools Business Manager for Eggers Secondary School, about the challenges and lessons learned from being an early converter to a stand-alone academy and why Janice feels that being a stand-alone academy can offer a lot of benefit.   On this episode we cover:   The challenges of being part of an early converter to an academy The lessons learnt from decisions made Exploring the freedoms of converting...

6. Jaime Hobday and Robin Rajanah of solicitors VWVV

For 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 bei...

5. Julie Cordiner, Independent Education Funding Consultant

For this episode Tim Warneford speaks online via Skype to Julie Cordiner, Independent Education Funding Consultant about her work in education finance for schools and academies, the successes and the struggles of the schools academies sector and her passion for education.    On this episode we cover:   How education was her own route out of poverty Education being her passion Opportunities for children they wouldn’t otherwise have Working in education for 30 years Being drawn...

9. Joanne Burton and Ciaira Campfield of solicitors Stone King

On this episode Tim Warneford is in Bath where he is talking to Joanne Burton and Ciaira Campfield from solicitors, Stone King, a law firm that has supported over 400 schools nationally who have converted to academy status.   On this episode we cover:   Partner in Commercial Property Team Partner in Education Team Stone King being one of the leading firms in a niche sector Working on academy brokerage, academy conversions and more Joanna starting in July 2010 when the academi...

8. Darren Rice, Health and Safety Consultant from MAC Consulting

On this episode of Developing the Trust, joining the dots in the academy sector, Tim Warneford is in Ampthill in Bedfordshire to speak to Darren Rice, Health and safety consultant from MAC consulting.   On this episode we cover:   What brought Darren to the academy sector Darren’s previous experience in the public sector Working as a building surveyor, maintaining schools for the LEA The different between providing services to LEAs v MATs How MATs transfer risks with them W...

7. Tracy Jackson, Finance Business Consultant for the Academy Sector

On this episode of Developing the Trust, the podcast dedicated to the schools academy sector, Tim Warneford is in a school in Batley to speak to Tracy Jackson, finance business consultant, about her experience of many conversions.   On this episode we cover:   What brought Tracy into the academy sector Starting as a trainee accounting technician Working in the internal audit department with schools and education Moving to a local high school as bursar (when 8 months pregnant wi...

4. Ian Buss, Former Lloyds Banking Group Head of Education, now Director of Education Banking Consultancy

This week Tim is in central London to talk to Ian Buss, Former Lloyds Banking Group Head of Education and now Director of Education Banking Consultancy about the success of Lloyds in their supports of MATS and academies and Ian’s aims to help further maximise MATs and academies funding.   On this episode we cover:   How the sector can work together better How the constantly changing sector needs support Lloyds popularity in the industry Ian’s task of setting up the education te...

3. Tom Kerr, Sales Director of Langley Waterproof Systems

This week Tim travels to Daventry to speak to Tom Kerr, sales director of Langley Waterproof Systems, a company that assess and supply roofs to many public bodies in social housing, MoD and indeed in education including schools.   On this episode we cover:   Langley being suppliers and designers of high performance waterproofing systems Working with clients throughout the UK including many public bodies –social housing, MoD and education Taking on an asset management function – h...

2. Chris James, Senior Accountant at Alan Patient & Co

This week Tim travels to Woodford to the offices of Chris James, a Senior Accountant at Alan Patient & Co a London firm providing accountancy services to schools across the UK. On this episode Chris James talks:   The first academy they worked with How the above panned out Schools’ experience prior to academising 'Good housekeeping’ prior to academisation The higher level of accountancy scrutiny after academisation Investing in higher accountancy systems to address the above ...

1. Bethan Cullen, Commercial Director, ISBL

This 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 busi...

Introduction to the Developing the Trust Podcast

Welcome to the Developing the Trust Podcast, the podcast on which we open up the lines of communication between key players in the School's Academy Sector. On this introductory episode host Tim Warneford, academy school funding consultant, explains what we can expect from the podcast and talks about some of the exciting episodes we have in store.