MATPN MIDLANDS 2025 AGENDA

MATPN is a unique, two-day learning and networking event which brings together the most inspirational leaders and transformational suppliers in the MAT sector to share cutting-edge insight, knowledge and experience. Our agenda is carefully curated to address the most relevant and emerging challenges in the sector.

24 - 25 June 2025, EMCC, Nottingham

Day 1
Day 2

24 June 2025

8:00 am - 8:50 am

Main Room

Registration
8:50 am - 9:00 am

Main Room

Chair's opening remarks

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Welcome to the MATPN Midlands 2025!
9:00 am - 9:40 am

Main Room

Keynote leaders panel – Embedding inclusion: a trust-wide imperative

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Matthew Shanks

Chief Executive Officer
Education South West

Mark Vickers MBE

Chief Executive Officer
Olive Academies

Rachel Wilkes

Chief Executive Officer
Humber Education Trust

The SEND system remains under intense scrutiny with rising EHCP demand, funding deficits (projected to exceed £5 billion by March 2026) and local authority pressures. What are MATs doing in their schools to address these rising concerns...

The SEND system remains under intense scrutiny with rising EHCP demand, funding deficits (projected to exceed £5 billion by March 2026) and local authority pressures. What are MATs doing in their schools to address these rising concerns?

Our speakers explore strategies to weave inclusion into Trust strategy and culture, addressing pupils, staff and leadership. With the SEND system under increasing scrutiny, panellists will unpack:

Defining Inclusion: What does it mean for diverse pupils and staff?

Neurodiversity at Work: Supporting high-functioning neurodiversity with training and resources.

Trust-Wide Equity: Ensuring inclusion permeates every level of leadership and operations.

Policy Alignment: Preparing for SEND reforms while fostering innovation.
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Headline sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main Room

Dragons' Den - Speed presentations

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing c...

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main Room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Main Room

Mastering distributed leadership

Claire Pritchard

Chief Executive Officer
Broadleaf Partnership Trust

How can MATs empower leaders while maintaining strategic coherence? This session dives into the art of distributed leadership, offering strategies to build high-functioning central teams that enhance autonomy without sacrificing oversigh...

How can MATs empower leaders while maintaining strategic coherence? This session dives into the art of distributed leadership, offering strategies to build high-functioning central teams that enhance autonomy without sacrificing oversight. We dive into:

Empowerment Strategies: Fostering collaboration and trust across leadership tiers.
Strategic Alignment: Linking decision-making to Trust goals and quality standards.
Overcoming Challenges: Addressing the pitfalls of distributed control.
Practical Insights: Building leadership capacity for sustainable impact.
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main Room

Networking lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.
2:05 pm - 2:30 pm

Main Room

Fire side chat – Safeguarding together: a collective mission

Vic Raynor

Head of Inclusion
Archway Learning Trust

Dr Martin Bloomfield

Founding Director, Beyond Inclusion Ltd, Lecturer in Digital Ethics
Berlin School of Business and Law

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility so how do MATs make it a lived reality? During the fire-side chat, our experts share optimal approaches to safeguarding that empower staff and embed vigilance Trust-wide. We delve into:

...

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility so how do MATs make it a lived reality? During the fire-side chat, our experts share optimal approaches to safeguarding that empower staff and embed vigilance Trust-wide. We delve into:

Shared Accountability: Building a culture of collective responsibility.
Practical Embedding: Integrating safeguarding into daily routines.
Staff Empowerment: Equipping teams to protect and support pupils.
2:30 pm - 2:50 pm

Main Room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
2:55 pm - 3:40 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
5:05 pm - 5:35 pm

Main Room

Keynote – Navigating the way forward for your people, not all people

Adrian Rogers

Chief Executive Officer
Chiltern Learning Trust

Sufian Sadiq

Director of Teaching School and Talent
Chiltern Learning Trust

One-size-fits-all people strategies don’t work so, how do MATs design ones that fit their specific trust identity and values? Our speakers explore building a bespoke workforce plan aligned with Trust needs, not external trends. Unpacki...

One-size-fits-all people strategies don’t work so, how do MATs design ones that fit their specific trust identity and values? Our speakers explore building a bespoke workforce plan aligned with Trust needs, not external trends. Unpacking their approach to:

Listening Strategically: Understanding team priorities and needs.
Cultural Alignment: Linking initiatives to Trust goals and identity.
Practical Steps: Creating a strategy that resonates and delivers.
5:35 pm - 6:15 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote – From ACE to iCan: transforming lives through education

Richard McCann

Founder
iCan Academy

Richard, a No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author and motivational speaker shares his journey from adversity to triumph. Overcoming childhood trauma, care and poverty, he found hope through school’s unsung heroes – teachers, staff ...

Richard, a No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author and motivational speaker shares his journey from adversity to triumph. Overcoming childhood trauma, care and poverty, he found hope through school’s unsung heroes – teachers, staff and caretakers. This session reveals how educators can be lifelines for vulnerable students, Richard delves into:

The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on young lives
The school’s role as a sanctuary for stability and connection
Strategies that foster resilience and belief in every student
How MAT leaders can amplify their staff’s transformative potential
6:15 pm - 6:20 pm

Main Room

Chair's closing remarks
6:20 pm - 7:30 pm

Main Room

Hotel check-in / free time
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Main Room

Drinks reception & networking dinner
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout Room 1

Google client session

Matt McIver, Chief Operating Officer, Cidari Multi Academy Trust

Peter Ashworth, Chief Executive Officer, Cidari Multi Academy Trust
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout Room 2

Leadership development: myth-busting HR

Emma Hendry

Chief HR Officer
Exceed Academies Trust

Not every outstanding teacher makes a great leader.

Leadership extends beyond classroom instruction, requiring the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide colleagues and stakeholders.

Emma explores how to identify and nur...

Not every outstanding teacher makes a great leader.

Leadership extends beyond classroom instruction, requiring the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide colleagues and stakeholders.

Emma explores how to identify and nurture leadership potential, distinguishing between leadership and management, influence and control. Emma will highlight:

Key Skills: for effective leadership
Foster an open culture: where colleagues can thrive.
Dynamic pipeline: creating a pipeline of leaders.
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout Room 3

When vision meets reality: strategic development planning

Andrew Strachan

Chief Digital and Information Officer
Emmanuel Schools Foundation

How can MATs turn ambitious goals into actionable plans? This session tackles strategic development, balancing vision with operational constraints while keeping pupils first. We explore:

Resource Allocation: How to maximise value...

How can MATs turn ambitious goals into actionable plans? This session tackles strategic development, balancing vision with operational constraints while keeping pupils first. We explore:

Resource Allocation: How to maximise value and funding efficiency.
Progress Tracking: Measuring success amidst challenges.
Adaptable Strategies: Building plans that flex with reality.

25 June 2025

9:00 am - 9:05 am

Main Room

Chair's opening remarks

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Welcome to day 2 of the Multi-Academy Trust Partnership Network!
9:05 am - 9:45 am

Main Room

Keynote leaders panel – Talent dynamics: recruiting, retaining, and leading

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Phil Beecher

Chief Financial Officer
The Active Learning Trust

Lauren Pilgrim

Director of People
Enquire Learning Trust

In a competitive education sector, how can MATs secure and sustain top talent? With over 60% of MATs facing recruitment challenges, how can trusts build a skilled, lasting workforce? Our panellists share their innovative strategies to re...

In a competitive education sector, how can MATs secure and sustain top talent? With over 60% of MATs facing recruitment challenges, how can trusts build a skilled, lasting workforce? Our panellists share their innovative strategies to recruit, retain and lead staff effectively.

Cost-Effective Deployment: Optimising staff resources smartly.
Resilience Building: Supporting staff to thrive under pressure.
Talent Retention: Creating a culture that inspires loyalty.
Employer Appeal: Positioning Trusts as top career destinations.
9:45 am - 10:05 am

Main Room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:10 am - 10:30 am

Main Room

Raising the bar: Implementing trust-wide behaviour standards

Lynsey Holzer

Chief Executive
Active Learning Trust

Jeremy Rowe

Chief Executive Officer
Waveney Valley Academies Trust

Ensuring consistently high behaviour standards across a MAT requires a unified yet adaptable approach.

This session unveils a principles-based approach to foster positive behaviour in primary, secondary and special needs schools....

Ensuring consistently high behaviour standards across a MAT requires a unified yet adaptable approach.

This session unveils a principles-based approach to foster positive behaviour in primary, secondary and special needs schools. Exploring:

Unified Expectations: Embedding consistent behaviour principles.
Cultural Shift: Creating environments of high aspiration.
Contextual Flexibility: Adapting to individual school needs.
10:35 am - 10:55 am

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:45 pm

Main Room

Keynote leaders panel – Grasping growth: lessons for sustainable expansion

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Ben March

Chief Finance and Operations Officer
STEP Academy Trust

Emma Pritchard

Chief Executive Officer
Black Pear Trust

Matt Crawford

Chief Executive Officer
Embark Federation

Gail Brown

Chief Executive Officer
Ebor Academy Trust

What does successful MAT growth look like in 2025? Our panellists share their lessons on key aspects such as managing relationships, budgeting challenges, conducting effective due diligence and maintaining accountability and transparency...

What does successful MAT growth look like in 2025? Our panellists share their lessons on key aspects such as managing relationships, budgeting challenges, conducting effective due diligence and maintaining accountability and transparency throughout the growth process.
12:45 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

Keynote presentation

Presented by James Nottingham – Keynote Speaker, Author & Education Consultant – The Learning Pit
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main Room

Chair's closing remarks and networking lunch

Networking sessions – throughout the event we host a networking lunch as well as a dinner and drinks reception to give you ample opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers over the learnings from the event. Lunch is serve...

Networking sessions – throughout the event we host a networking lunch as well as a dinner and drinks reception to give you ample opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.
10:10 am - 10:30 am

Breakout Room 1

How a data-driven culture transforms outcomes

Alan McKeegan

Executive Director of Education, Secondary
Lydiate Learning Trust

Can data reshape school culture? Learn how Lydiate Learning Trust with 55% pupil premium and 32% SEN students leveraged data to drive meaningful change and support other schools in doing the same. We cover:

Early Intervention: St...

Can data reshape school culture? Learn how Lydiate Learning Trust with 55% pupil premium and 32% SEN students leveraged data to drive meaningful change and support other schools in doing the same. We cover:

Early Intervention: Streamlining data for timely action.
Outcome Focus: Driving above-national results.
Scalable Insights: Supporting Trusts to replicate success.
10:10 am - 10:30 am

Breakout Room 2

Change champions: School improvement at the core

Matt Meckin

Chief Executive Officer
Rivers C. of E. Academy Trust

How do MATs lead strategic change without losing sight of school improvement? Explore how to lead strategic change while keeping school improvement at the heart of every decision through:

Change Alignment: Linking initiatives to ...

How do MATs lead strategic change without losing sight of school improvement? Explore how to lead strategic change while keeping school improvement at the heart of every decision through:

Change Alignment: Linking initiatives to Trust goals.
Resistance Management: Inspiring confidence in teams.
Sustained Momentum: Balancing operations and progress.
10:10 am - 10:30 am

Breakout Room 3

Estates evolution: strategic management for lasting impact

Neil Gunn

Head of Estates
Orion Education

What strategies cam be used to turn estates into assets for learning? This session explores effective estates strategies that enhance environments, ensure compliance, and align with funding. Covering:

Data Precision: Building pla...

What strategies cam be used to turn estates into assets for learning? This session explores effective estates strategies that enhance environments, ensure compliance, and align with funding. Covering:

Data Precision: Building plans on accurate insights.
Funding Leverage: Mastering SCA and CIF bidding.
Leadership Role: Elevating estates to executive priority.

Day 1
Day 2

MATPN MIDLANDS 2025 AGENDA

MATPN MIDLANDS 2025 AGENDA

24 - 25 June 2025, EMCC, Nottingham

24 June 2025

8:00 am - 8:50 am

Main Room

Registration

8:50 am - 9:00 am

Main Room

Chair's opening remarks

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer REAch2 Academy Trust

9:00 am - 9:40 am

Main Room

Keynote leaders panel – Embedding inclusion: a trust-wide imperative

Cathie Paine

Chief Executive Officer REAch2 Academy Trust

Matthew Shanks

Chief Executive Officer Education South West

Mark Vickers MBE

Chief Executive Officer Olive Academies

Rachel Wilkes

Chief Executive Officer Humber Education Trust

9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Headline sponsor presentation

10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main Room

Dragons' Den - Speed presentations

10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main Room

Platinum sponsor presentation

12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Main Room

Mastering distributed leadership

Claire Pritchard

Chief Executive Officer Broadleaf Partnership Trust

12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentation

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main Room

Networking lunch

2:05 pm - 2:30 pm

Main Room

Fire side chat – Safeguarding together: a collective mission

Vic Raynor

Head of Inclusion Archway Learning Trust

Dr Martin Bloomfield

Founding Director, Beyond Inclusion Ltd, Lecturer in Digital Ethics Berlin School of Business and Law

2:30 pm - 2:50 pm

Main Room

Platinum sponsor presentation

2:55 pm - 3:40 pm

Main Room

Gold sponsor presentations

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

5:05 pm - 5:35 pm

Main Room

Keynote – Navigating the way forward for your people, not all people

Adrian Rogers

Chief Executive Officer Chiltern Learning Trust

Sufian Sadiq

Director of Teaching School and Talent Chiltern Learning Trust

5:35 pm - 6:15 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote – From ACE to iCan: transforming lives through education

Richard McCann

Founder iCan Academy

6:15 pm - 6:20 pm

Main Room

Chair's closing remarks

6:20 pm - 7:30 pm

Main Room

Hotel check-in / free time

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Education South West

Chief Executive Officer
Olive Academies

Chief Executive Officer
Humber Education Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Broadleaf Partnership Trust

Head of Inclusion
Archway Learning Trust

Founding Director, Beyond Inclusion Ltd, Lecturer in Digital Ethics
Berlin School of Business and Law

Chief Executive Officer
Chiltern Learning Trust

Director of Teaching School and Talent
Chiltern Learning Trust

Founder
iCan Academy

Chief HR Officer
Exceed Academies Trust

Chief Digital and Information Officer
Emmanuel Schools Foundation

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Chief Financial Officer
The Active Learning Trust

Director of People
Enquire Learning Trust

Chief Executive
Active Learning Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Waveney Valley Academies Trust

Chief Executive Officer
REAch2 Academy Trust

Chief Finance and Operations Officer
STEP Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Black Pear Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Embark Federation

Chief Executive Officer
Ebor Academy Trust

Executive Director of Education, Secondary
Lydiate Learning Trust