This is the flagship MATA event of the year, a daytime conference with an awards on the evening (SEPERATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED), the sessions throughout the day will combine keynotes and workshops from a mix of Trust leaders and industry experts.
This is a free to attend event, with the tickets including breakfast, refreshments and lunch.
The National MAT Conference 2025
Events For Education
08:00 am
06 Mar, 2025
Leonardo Hotel, Milton Keynes, Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes, MK9 2HP
The National MAT Conference 2025
Events For Education
08:00 am
06 Mar, 2025
Leonardo Hotel, Milton Keynes, Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes, MK9 2HP
Speakers
Charlie Cutler
United Learning
Director of Curriculum
Emily Verow
Three Spires Trust
CEO
Jen Elliott
EPM
CEO
Marie Sweetlove
Fortis Trust
CEO
Michael Gosling
Trinity MAT
CEO
Ninette van der Velden
Anago
CEO
Sponsors & Partners
The programme
08:00
Registration, Breakfast & Networking, Chairs Welcoming Address
Registration, Breakfast & Networking, Chairs Welcoming Address
08:55
Panel Discussion - Setting the scene, challenges ahead for Trusts
This panel discussion will feature 4 MAT leaders from varying size and location to discuss openly challenges and expectations for 2025.
09:20
Highlights from EPM's brand-new "Thought Leadership Series"
Jen Elliott
CEO
EPM
Andy Mackey
COO
EPM
EPM, MATA’s Strategic Sponsor, will provide highlights from their brand-new “Thought Leadership Series” where Trust and School Leaders are invited to provide their insights on topics such as Navigating the evolving Political landscape, Flexible working, SEND Provision. You can find details of how to join the thought leadership series here: EPM Thought Leaders Series - https://info.epm.co.uk/epm-thought-leaders-series.
09:45
Collaborating between Trusts - opening the door to one another
Michael Gosling
CEO
Trinity MAT
(CONFIRMED) This session will be hosted by Trinity MAT who have gone through a process of being an open and collaborative trust, Michael will talk through these processes on how you can benchmarking and work together with MATs.
10:10
Leading MATs in a Changing World
Ninette van der Velden
CEO
Anago
In 2025, MAT leaders face significant change. This requires more than just cost-cutting – it demands strategic financial leadership. In this session, led by Ninette; CEO of Anago; we will explore how proactive financial management, real-time insights, and technology-driven decision-making empower MATs to allocate resources effectively, maintain financial stability, and drive educational excellence. Using examples, we will demonstrate how financially mature MATs shift from reactive budgeting to sustainable, high-impact strategies, ensuring long-term success. The best MATs don’t wait for better financial conditions—they lead the change.
10:35
Growing whilst maintaining ethics and efficiency
Emily Verow
CEO
Three Spires Trust
(CONFIRMED) This session will give an in depth insight to growing, whilst maintaining ethics and building your Trust sustainability.
11:00
Journey to Decarbonisation in Schools - Strategies and Funding Opportunities
Rob Tyler
National Education Sector Lead
Baily Garner
Emily Mansfield
Head of Sustainability
Baily Garner
In this session, we will explore the path to decarbonising your school estate. This will capture the significance of having a clear estates strategy and aligning decarbonisation goals to this, methods to optimise estate efficiency and ways to access and make the most of funding opportunities.
11:25
Morning Networking, Refreshments & Breakout
Morning Networking, Refreshments & Breakout
12:10
Using mini disasters to improve your Trust's people strategy
Nick Osborne
Chief Executive
Maritime Academy Trust
(CONFIRMED) This session will be hosted by Maritime Academy Trust and detail how using mini disasters and challenges can be a positive.
12:35
Establishing and maintaining the status of a 'strong trust'
Ross Bennett
Commercial Director
Engaging Education
Andrew Riches
CEO
Inspiring Primaries Academy Trust
In this session we will look at the challenges and opportunities ahead and give you the tools to ensure your Trust has the edge. We will also look at how your Trust vision can inspire staff, children, and other stakeholders through innovative, and effective communication strategies.
13:00
Lunch Networking, Refreshments & Breakout
Lunch Networking, Refreshments & Breakout
13:45
How we create better opportunities for AP & SEND students
Lois Whitehouse
CEO
Inspire Education Trust
Marie Sweetlove
CEO
Fortis Trust
(CONFIRMED) This session explores how Multi Academy Trusts can lead transformative efforts to enhance educational and life opportunities for students in Alternative Provision (AP) and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
14:10
Balancing Centralisation with School Autonomy
Charlie Cutler
Director of Curriculum
United Learning
(CONFIRMED) United Learning provides education to over 70,000 children and young people across the country, encompassing primary and secondary schools in both the state and independent sectors. Every school in the group has its own unique character, and the Trust celebrates and encourages this diversity. But, it is only through collaboration and centralisation that the strength of the network can be realised. In this session, Charlie will discuss how strategic centralisation of aspects of the curriculum and assessment can enhance practices while maintaining each school’s own distinct identity. They will share what United Learning streamlines to support high standards and good practice in a way that does not stifle local innovation and autonomy.
14:35
Workshop Session - Innovating decision making and governance
This session will be hosted by experts on how we can improve decision making as MAT leaders and evolve your governance structure.
15:00
Chairs Closing Address
Chairs Closing Address
Book tickets
Ticket
Price
Quantity
Education Leader
£0.00 excl VAT
Limited places
Limited places
0
Private Sector (LIMITED)
£407.99 excl VAT
Limited places
Limited places
0
