Speaking and facilitation
I regularly speak at conferences, network events and leadership sessions for schools, academy trusts and professional groups across the UK.
“If I was only allowed to listen to one person speak per year, I’d choose Matthew. I always come away knowing that change is possible and feeling inspired to be part of it.”
— Emma Gray
My sessions focus on the issues that leaders are often dealing with but do not always have space to think through: governance, risk, decision-making, organisational culture and the effective use of resources. The aim is always practical. I want people to leave with clearer thinking, greater confidence and something they can use immediately.
I speak at both regional and national events, including the Schools and Academies Show in Birmingham and London, and I am a regular speaker and panellist at EdExec Live events across the country. I have also worked with a wide range of school business management groups, headteacher networks and governance forums.
Alongside conference speaking, I facilitate governance away days, leadership sessions and workshops for single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts and charities. These sessions are designed to help boards and senior teams step back, test their thinking and focus on what matters most.
“Thanks Matthew — your input has been just what we needed, when we needed it.”
— Ian Hunt, CEO
I have been fortunate to work with thousands of school and trust leaders over the course of my career, through a combination of speaking, facilitation and advisory work.
A selection of groups and organisations I’ve worked with over the years:
Headteacher, leadership and governance groups
- Wirral Primary Heads
- Bristol Headteachers
- Birmingham Education Partnership
- West Gloucestershire Schools Support Partnership
- North Birmingham Heads Cluster
- Services for Education
- MAT networks in the South West, Midlands and North West
National organisations and sector bodies
- CST (Formerly FASNA)
- NGA
- Institute of School Business Leadership
- NAHT
Conference providers
- Optimus Education
- The Key
- Education Executive
- Plus Events and networks in Bristol, Blackpool, Carlisle, London, Maidstone, Solihull and beyond
Professional and business management groups
- Birmingham Association of School Business Management
- Cornwall Association of School Business Management
- Devon School Business Managers Association
- Dorset Association of School Business Management
- East Sussex School Business Managers
- LASBM Ltd (Lancashire)
- Leicestershire Academies Group
- Stoke Business Managers Group
- Wirral SBMs
I also continue to support individual schools, trusts and emerging leaders through smaller sessions, mentoring and advisory work.
If you are planning an event, conference or leadership session and want something that combines practical insight with honest challenge, I would be pleased to hear from you.