Chairs Welcoming Address

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.

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.

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.

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.

Morning Break, Networking & Refreshments

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!

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.

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

Lunch and Networking

Keynote

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

Close of Day