Operations Leaders Connect Day

Building Sustainable, Future-Ready Trusts

The first Operational Leaders Connect Day of the academic year brings together executive and operational leaders from across our partner trusts to explore one of the defining strategic questions facing Multi Academy Trusts today:

How do we build operating models that are financially sustainable, organisationally resilient and fit for the future?

As trusts continue to navigate financial pressures, workforce challenges and increasing expectations around technology, sustainability and operational effectiveness, the way we organise ourselves has never been more important. Throughout the morning, delegates will hear from trust leaders who are rethinking traditional approaches to operations, sharing practical examples of how strategic investment, organisational redesign and long-term planning are creating stronger, more sustainable organisations.

We are delighted to welcome Michelle Dales, Chief Operating Officer, and Gavin Booth, Chief Executive Officer, from Infinity Academies Trust, who will share their trust's journey towards a highly centralised operating model. Working across twenty predominantly rural primary schools, Infinity has fundamentally redesigned many of its central services, including the development of standard operating procedures and a new approach to school office leadership. Their session will explore the strategic decisions behind this transformation, the benefits and challenges they have encountered, and the lessons they have learned along the way for trusts considering similar approaches.

Our second keynote will be delivered by Darren Yarnell, Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer at Greenwood Academies Trust, who will explore how Greenwood is embedding sustainability as an organisational strategy. Rather than viewing climate action as a standalone initiative, Greenwood has aligned environmental sustainability with digital infrastructure, estates planning, technology investment and operational decision-making. Darren will share how strategic investment is reducing costs, strengthening resilience and supporting long-term organisational effectiveness, while engaging leaders, staff and pupils in creating a more sustainable future.

Our final keynote will showcase the work of the Inspiring Leaders ICT Directors Group, who have spent the past year undertaking a Strategic Inquiry into the future of digital leadership in Multi Academy Trusts. Drawing together perspectives from technology leaders representing more than twenty trusts, this session will explore three emerging themes shaping the future of trust leadership:

• From Cyber Security to Cyber Safety – reframing digital risk as a safeguarding responsibility.

• Digital Resilience – understanding digital infrastructure as a core organisational and governance priority.

• From Marking to Mastery: AI Outlook – exploring how trusts can adopt artificial intelligence strategically, ethically and with confidence.

Rather than focusing on technology itself, these short presentations will explore the leadership questions facing every trust, regardless of size or context, and will formally share the findings of the Strategic Inquiry with the wider partnership.

The afternoon will move from keynote presentations to dialogue through our Professional Peer Networks.

Working alongside colleagues with similar leadership responsibilities, delegates will reflect on the themes emerging from the morning, discuss how these relate to their own trusts, share effective practice and identify opportunities for collaboration across the partnership. These conversations will help shape future Connect Days and ensure the work of Inspiring Leaders continues to respond to the priorities that matter most to operational leaders.

As always, the Connect Day is designed to provide a trusted space for strategic thinking, professional challenge and collaborative leadership. Bringing together colleagues from more than twenty trusts, it offers the opportunity not only to learn from sector-leading practice but also to strengthen the relationships and partnerships that underpin our collective improvement across the East Midlands.

Who should attend?

• Chief Operating Officers

• Chief Financial Officers

• HR Directors

• Governance Professionals

• Estates Leaders

• ICT Directors

• Data Leaders

• Marketing and Communications Leaders

Please book your place now. We would love to see you all there.