MATPN SOUTH 2025 AGENDA

25 – 26 NOVEMBER 2025, RADISSON BLU, HEATHROW

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.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Day 1
Day 2

25 November 2025

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Main room

Registration
8:45 am - 8:55 am

Main room

Chair's opening remarks

John Murphy

Education Leadership Mentor
Adviser and Public Speaker

As we gather at a time of unprecedented change in our sector, from Ofsted reforms and AI integration to increasing SEND demands and financial pressures, the need for collaborative and courageous leadership is more urgent than ever.
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As we gather at a time of unprecedented change in our sector, from Ofsted reforms and AI integration to increasing SEND demands and financial pressures, the need for collaborative and courageous leadership is more urgent than ever.

This year, MATPN South unites over 150 of the region’s most influential MAT leaders. With a record number of C-suite speakers, new interactive formats, and a stronger focus on practical, scalable solutions, this event is designed to support your most critical priorities.

Over the next two days, you will hear from keynote voices such as Sir Martyn Oliver, Lucy Heller, Paul Glover, and James Browning. You will explore frameworks across four focused content tracks and connect with solution providers who understand the challenges and opportunities within multi-academy trusts.

We encourage you to use this space not just to listen, but to question, engage, and lead.

Together, let’s shape the future of trust leadership.
8:55 am - 9:15 am

Main room

Opening keynote address: From policy to practice

Lucy Heller

Chief Executive Officer
Ark Schools

With two decades leading Ark Schools, CEO Lucy Heller reflects on the evolving trust and education landscape including the shift toward collaboration over competition among trusts. Lucy will also talk about Ark’s new 10-year vision and...

With two decades leading Ark Schools, CEO Lucy Heller reflects on the evolving trust and education landscape including the shift toward collaboration over competition among trusts. Lucy will also talk about Ark’s new 10-year vision and EdCity, a hub for the education sector built as part of a project with Hammersmith and Fulham council to contribute to the regeneration of the White City Estate.
9:15 am - 9:35 am

Main room

Keynote presentation: From curiosity to confidence: closing the AI innovation gap for future-ready education

James Browning

Chief Operating Officer
Lift Schools

As AI rapidly transforms education, MATs have a choice – carry on with cautious exploration or take the plunge into purposeful AI integration. The gap between today’s practices and tomorrow’s possibilities is not just a challen...

As AI rapidly transforms education, MATs have a choice – carry on with cautious exploration or take the plunge into purposeful AI integration. The gap between today’s practices and tomorrow’s possibilities is not just a challenge – it’s a strategic opportunity but for transformation to happen, it demands shifts that stretch across both culture and community.

Sharing the struggles and the wins – James Browning, Chief Operating Officer of Lift Schools, presents a practical roadmap inspired by Lift’s journey to embed AI in ways that empower teachers, personalise learning and drive operational excellence. We’ll dive into:

Taking the temperature: From staff and student engagement to digital tool adoption and readiness for change – how to assess your current state and get clear on your ‘why’.

What, when and where: understanding which tools to use and for what purpose, whether its personalised learning, streamlined operations or innovative teaching practices using AI tools – knowing what you want to achieve first
Bridging the gap: Ways to identify the skills, technologies and cultural shifts needed to move from where you are to where you want to be.
Build a compelling case for change: How to engage trustees, teachers, parents and students with a narrative that addresses both the promise and the practicalities of AI in education.
Measuring ROI: You’ve made the investment, but do you know what metrics to measure?
9:35 am - 9:55 am

Main room

Headline sponsor presentation - Stylus Education

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

Main room

Dragons' Den

Our signature “Dragons’ Den” session provides each solutions provider with an opportunity to deliver a 60 second pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongo...

Our signature “Dragons’ Den” session provides each solutions provider with an opportunity to deliver a 60 second 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

Fire-side chat: Balancing scale and spirit: centralisation without compromising on culture

John Murphy

Education Leadership Mentor
Adviser and Public Speaker

Louise Mitchell

Chief Financial Officer
Maritime Academy Trust

Dr Danny Doyle

Chief Executive Officer
Cardinal Newman Catholic Trust

With 60% of MATs consolidating IT, finance and HR – the drive for cost savings can sometimes collide with the imperative to preserve each school’s distinct character. We unpack ‘ Smart centralisation’ which centralises pr...

With 60% of MATs consolidating IT, finance and HR – the drive for cost savings can sometimes collide with the imperative to preserve each school’s distinct character. We unpack ‘ Smart centralisation’ which centralises processes, builds a strong central team and delivers targeted training where it’s needed

Learn how to offer nuanced, tailored support that ensures schools flourish while preserving their place in the communities they serve.

Discover how to build systems where all schools, regardless of size or context, have a future and thrive within it.
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

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 - 2:50 pm

Main room

Keynote panel: Breaking barriers: innovative fixes for the hardest budget crisis yet

Emma Balchin

Chief Executive Officer
National Governance Association

Sharon Carlyon

Chief Operating Officer
Inclusive MAT

Lana Stoyles

Executive Director
NEXUS MAT

David Harris

Chief Executive Officer
Engage Enrich Excel Academies

Following the spending review earlier this year, we review the toughest budget round yet and what this means for the year ahead. In a climate where flat funding, 3% inflation, the £8bn SEND deficit, VAT hikes and increased child povert...

Following the spending review earlier this year, we review the toughest budget round yet and what this means for the year ahead. In a climate where flat funding, 3% inflation, the £8bn SEND deficit, VAT hikes and increased child poverty create a major challenge for MATs everywhere – our panel reveal some radical solutions to turn crisis into opportunity and examples of where ‘innovative thinking’ really does win the day. We dive deep into:

Dynamic resource pooling: Share assets across trusts to cut costs amid 2% pupil decline.
Future-focused workforce models: Redesign staffing to absorb 5.5% pay rise pressures.
Adaptive SEND frameworks: Reimagine provision to tackle £8bn deficit collaboratively.
Policy-driven funding advocacy: Shape national budgets to secure sustainable allocations.
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 - 5:25 pm

Main room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
5:25 pm - 5:55 pm

Main room

Oxford-style debate: RISE teams, help or hindrance?

Stephen Morales

Chief Executive Officer
Institute of School Business Leadership

Stuart Gardner

Chief Executive Officer
Thinking Schools Academy Trust

The Government’s RISE Teams set out a bold vision for inspections and interventions, promising to weave expertise, collaboration and community vitality into the fabric of education. Over six months on, CEOs weigh in on their promise &#...

The Government’s RISE Teams set out a bold vision for inspections and interventions, promising to weave expertise, collaboration and community vitality into the fabric of education. Over six months on, CEOs weigh in on their promise – this Oxford-style debate probes a critical question: are RISE Teams revolutionising trust-school dynamics or are they destabilising established systems?

The motion – “This house believes RISE Teams are transforming education for the better” sparks a clash of perspectives.

Stuart Gardner, Chief Executive Officer, TSAT argues for the motion, championing RISE Teams as catalysts for shared pupil success.

Mark Emmerson, Chief Executive Officer, The City of London Academies Trust counters, highlighting risks of cultural disruption and redundancy, questioning their value amid MATs complex governance.

Moderated by Stephen Morales, Chief Executive Officer, ISBL this debate will challenge assumptions and inspire strategic clarity.
5:55 pm - 6:00 pm

Main room

Chair's opening remarks
6:00 pm - 7:25 pm

Main room

Hotel check-in / Free time
7:25 pm - 10:00 pm

Main room

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

Breakout room 1

Tackling social mobility: building equitable futures in MATs

Mark Emmerson

Chief Executive Officer
City of London Academies Trust

With 700,000 London children in poverty and social mobility stalled, MATs must bridge the gap between academic success and equitable opportunities. Mark Emmerson, CEO of The City of London Academies Trust, shares a bold strategy to embed...

With 700,000 London children in poverty and social mobility stalled, MATs must bridge the gap between academic success and equitable opportunities. Mark Emmerson, CEO of The City of London Academies Trust, shares a bold strategy to embed social mobility into trust operations, drawing on his leadership in transforming school outcomes. Discover how to:

Redesign resource allocation: Prioritise funding for disadvantaged communities to break poverty cycles.

Foster inclusive cultures: Build workforce diversity reflecting local identities, boosting aspiration.

Leverage partnerships: Collaborate with employers and charities to enhance social capital.

Measure impact: Use data-driven metrics to track mobility outcomes, not just grades.
Emmerson’s blueprint offers practical steps to balance financial pressures with a commitment to equity, ensuring every pupil thrives in 2026 and beyond.
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout room 2

Leading the shift: enhancing operational efficiency with AI agents
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout room 3

Discover, dream, design, deliver… making the Disney model work for you

Lorna Hamilton became CEO of The Primary First Trust on 1st September 2024 following four years as the Trust Education Director. Lorna has worked across many different Local Authorities and has over 20 years’ experience in both Primary and Secondary education settings. Lorna delivers significant outcomes for schools through tight financial management, development of Governance, the ability to set and manage cultural change with strong people management, whereby supporting individual and school development achieves sustainable results.
In her role Lorna is also accountable for the outcomes of schools, along with the Head Teachers of those schools. Her main focus is to work with the Trust’s highly effective school leaders to ensure the best outcomes are achieved, where values and ethos are at the heart of every decision. Lorna is values and research driven and uses this ethos and knowledge to enable school teams to be outward facing in school development and culture development. Thus, ensuring the interest and well-being of the staff and of the children in her care are always recognised and thought of.
Before making her mark in education Lorna enjoyed a successful career in the retail industry as a Human Resources Director and Business Development Consultant.

Lorna Hamilton

Chief Executive Officer
Primary First Trust

This session outlines a strategy based on the Disney model to engage Trustees in developing your Vision, Mission and Values and getting buy-in from all stakeholders.

26 November 2025

8:40 am - 8:45 am

Main room

Chair's opening remarks

John Murphy

Education Leadership Mentor
Adviser and Public Speaker

As we gather at a time of unprecedented change in our sector, from Ofsted reforms and AI integration to increasing SEND demands and financial pressures, the need for collaborative and courageous leadership is more urgent than ever.
<...

As we gather at a time of unprecedented change in our sector, from Ofsted reforms and AI integration to increasing SEND demands and financial pressures, the need for collaborative and courageous leadership is more urgent than ever.

This year, MATPN South unites over 150 of the region’s most influential MAT leaders. With a record number of C-suite speakers, new interactive formats, and a stronger focus on practical, scalable solutions, this event is designed to support your most critical priorities.

Over the next two days, you will hear from keynote voices such as Sir Martyn Oliver, Lucy Heller, Paul Glover, and James Browning. You will explore frameworks across four focused content tracks and connect with solution providers who understand the challenges and opportunities within multi-academy trusts.

We encourage you to use this space not just to listen, but to question, engage, and lead.

Together, let’s shape the future of trust leadership.
8:45 am - 9:25 am

Main room

In conversation with Sir Martyn Oliver, HM Chief Inspector, Ofsted

Sir Martyn Oliver

HM Chief Inspector
Ofsted

ir Martyn Oliver, HM Chief Inspector at Ofsted, presents Ofsted’s vision to support MATs through robust inspection, collaboration and a focus on educational excellence. Sir Martyn will outline Ofsted’s priorities for 2026, sharing in...

ir Martyn Oliver, HM Chief Inspector at Ofsted, presents Ofsted’s vision to support MATs through robust inspection, collaboration and a focus on educational excellence. Sir Martyn will outline Ofsted’s priorities for 2026, sharing insights on enhancing transparency in inspections, promoting sector-wide learning, and fostering best practices to elevate standards across MATs.

Join Sir Martyn to explore practical approaches and strategies for navigating inspections and driving improvement in the year ahead. Pose your questions during the Q&A to gain clarity on Ofsted’s expectations and vision for 2026 and beyond.
9:25 am - 9:45 am

Main room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
9:50 am - 10:10 am

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
10:15 am - 10:35 am

Main room

Sponsor presentation - ADHD 360

Interested in sponsoring?
10:35 am - 10:55 am

Main room

Keynote presentation: Building and growing a high performing MAT: inclusion is the key to outstanding

Paul Glover

Chief Executive Officer
STEP Academy Trust

John Halliwell

Executive Director
STEP Academy Trust

With the well-known sector challenges and current landscape, building and growing a high performing MAT with a unique approach to SEND provision and school improvement. Paul Glover, STEP CEO and John Halliwell, Executive Director of Prim...

With the well-known sector challenges and current landscape, building and growing a high performing MAT with a unique approach to SEND provision and school improvement. Paul Glover, STEP CEO and John Halliwell, Executive Director of Primary.

Growing a MAT across geographical areas, whilst strengthening culture.
Investment in Leadership to drive sustained high performance.
Developing the culture of Inclusion, finance, practice and the individual needs of pupils.
The importance of stakeholders.
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 - 1:05 pm

Main room

Candid conversations: CEO-led round table discussions - unfiltered, honest and powerful peer-to-peer Talks

Tiffany Beck

Head of Education // Chair of Trustees
PLMR // Maritime Academy Trust

Anna Rogers

Chief Executive Officer
Diocese of St Albans Multi Academy Trust

Shofiquez Zaman

Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Community Schools Trust

David Harris

Chief Executive Officer
Engage Enrich Excel Academies

Alex Pethick

Director of Curriculum
Knowledge Schools Trust

Garry Ratcliffe

Chief Executive Officer
Golden Thread Alliance

Mark Emmerson

Chief Executive Officer
City of London Academies Trust

Jackie Waters-Dewhurst

Chief Executive Officer
Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust

Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope

Dean and Professor of Education
Plymouth Marjon University

Join us for peer-led roundtable discussions, facilitated by CEOs (not solution providers) on a topic of choice. Expect high-level brainstorming, candid discussion and plenty of debate. Before closing, each table will share their key dis...

Join us for peer-led roundtable discussions, facilitated by CEOs (not solution providers) on a topic of choice. Expect high-level brainstorming, candid discussion and plenty of debate. Before closing, each table will share their key discoveries and feedback their findings with the room. Don’t hold back – this is a safe space to air your ideas, pose your questions and reflect on the past two days.

Roundtable 1: How are you redefining governance to meet the Children’s Bill? Anna Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Diocese of St Albans and Ali Brabner, Head of Governance and Onboarding, Diocese of St Albans

Roundtable 2: Is culture key to growth, impact and innovation? Shofiquez Zaman, Deputy CEO, Community Schools Trust

Roundtable 3: Where HR systems fall short and what can be done about it? David Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Engage Enrich Excel Academies

Roundtable 4: How to balance ambitious goals with operational realities? Alex Pethick, Director of Curriculum, Knowledge Schools Trust

Roundtable 5: How can HR directors design cost-effective wellbeing programs to increase staff retention on a budget?

Roundtable 6: Ways to create a talent pipeline for SEND: finding, recruiting and retaining specialists – Garry Ratcliffe, Chief Executive Officer, The Golden Thread Alliance
Roundtable 6: What works – how can you best find, recruit and keep top teacher talent?

Roundtable 7: What works – how can you best find, recruit and keep top teacher talent? Steph Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Orbis Education Trust

Roundtable 8: How are you fostering a culture of innovation to embrace future technologies?

Roundtable 9: How are you leveraging technology to analyse data to generate actionable insights that improve operating practices?

Roundtable 10: Simplifying SEND – why paying attention to detail can make all the difference Mark Emmerson, Chief Executive Officer, The City of London Academies Trust –

Roundtable 11: What is the role of AI in supporting all different people and operational functions?

Roundtable 12: Streamlining Governance in Trusts: Balancing Efficiency, Accountability and Collaboration
Discuss the potential benefits and risks of centralising trust governance, exploring how to improve decision-making while maintaining school-level autonomy and stakeholder trust. Explore how collaboration between schools can support improved access to resources particularly in rural areas. – Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope, Dean and Professor of Education, Plymouth Marjon University
1:05 pm - 1:15 pm

Main room

Chair's closing remarks
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main room

Networking lunch

Day 1
Day 2

MATPN SOUTH 2025 AGENDA

25 – 26 NOVEMBER 2025, RADISSON BLU, HEATHROW

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

MATPN SOUTH 2025 AGENDA

25 November 2025

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Main room

Registration

8:45 am - 8:55 am

Main room

Chair's opening remarks

John Murphy

Education Leadership Mentor Adviser and Public Speaker

8:55 am - 9:15 am

Main room

Opening keynote address: From policy to practice

Lucy Heller

Chief Executive Officer Ark Schools

9:15 am - 9:35 am

Main room

Keynote presentation: From curiosity to confidence: closing the AI innovation gap for future-ready education

James Browning

Chief Operating Officer Lift Schools

9:35 am - 9:55 am

Main room

Headline sponsor presentation - Stylus Education

10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main room

Dragons' Den

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

Fire-side chat: Balancing scale and spirit: centralisation without compromising on culture

John Murphy

Education Leadership Mentor Adviser and Public Speaker

Louise Mitchell

Chief Financial Officer Maritime Academy Trust

Dr Danny Doyle

Chief Executive Officer Cardinal Newman Catholic Trust

12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main room

Networking lunch

2:05 pm - 2:50 pm

Main room

Keynote panel: Breaking barriers: innovative fixes for the hardest budget crisis yet

Emma Balchin

Chief Executive Officer National Governance Association

Sharon Carlyon

Chief Operating Officer Inclusive MAT

Lana Stoyles

Executive Director NEXUS MAT

David Harris

Chief Executive Officer Engage Enrich Excel Academies

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 - 5:25 pm

Main room

Platinum sponsor presentation

5:25 pm - 5:55 pm

Main room

Oxford-style debate: RISE teams, help or hindrance?

Stephen Morales

Chief Executive Officer Institute of School Business Leadership

Stuart Gardner

Chief Executive Officer Thinking Schools Academy Trust

5:55 pm - 6:00 pm

Main room

Chair's opening remarks

6:00 pm - 7:25 pm

Main room

Hotel check-in / Free time

Education Leadership Mentor
Adviser and Public Speaker

Chief Executive Officer
Ark Schools

Chief Operating Officer
Lift Schools

Education Leadership Mentor
Adviser and Public Speaker

Chief Financial Officer
Maritime Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Cardinal Newman Catholic Trust

Chief Executive Officer
National Governance Association

Chief Operating Officer
Inclusive MAT

Executive Director
NEXUS MAT

Chief Executive Officer
Engage Enrich Excel Academies

Chief Executive Officer
Institute of School Business Leadership

Chief Executive Officer
Thinking Schools Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
City of London Academies Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Primary First Trust

Education Leadership Mentor
Adviser and Public Speaker

HM Chief Inspector
Ofsted

Chief Executive Officer
STEP Academy Trust

Executive Director
STEP Academy Trust

Head of Education // Chair of Trustees
PLMR // Maritime Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Diocese of St Albans Multi Academy Trust

Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Community Schools Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Engage Enrich Excel Academies

Director of Curriculum
Knowledge Schools Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Golden Thread Alliance

Chief Executive Officer
City of London Academies Trust

Chief Executive Officer
Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust

Dean and Professor of Education
Plymouth Marjon University