London, 2 February 2018 – ICSA: The Governance Institute is organising a workshop to look at the complex issue of multi-academy trust (MAT) expansion. Taking place at ICSA’s Farringdon offices in London on Friday 16 March, the workshop will focus on how MATs can maintain and develop good governance while growth is underway.
“MAT expansion can be contentious, with Ofsted raising concerns that growing too quickly can lead to poor performance in schools and the Department for Education putting nearly 60 academy chains onto a pause list in order to stop their growth. On the practical side, the expansion process can seem daunting and this workshop aims to provide guidance on due diligence, governance structures and culture, as well as exploring if lessons can be learned from the corporate sector,” says Louise Thomson, Head of Policy (Not for Profit) at ICSA: The Governance Institute.
Chaired by Caraline Johnson, Head of Education at Bates Wells Braithwaite, the workshop will include expert advice from:
- Andrew Guest, Development Director, Cambridge Education and Founding Chief Executive, Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust who will be emphasising the importance of good due diligence
- Terry Parkin, CEO at King’s Group Academies who will be offering tips and guidance on governance structures
- Katie Paxton-Doggett, Company Secretary, Ridgeway Education Trust and Vice Chair, National Governance Association and Naureen Khalid, Chair of Governors, Newstead Wood School who will be looking at culture
- Anna Machin, Governance & Compliance Manager at Ark and Emma Perkin, Lead Consultant at The Constant Group who will be focusing on the value of a good communications plan in terms of balancing the needs and interests of internal and external stakeholders.
There will also be a session reflecting on lessons that can be learned from the corporate sector so that MATs can use their board to maximise value potential both before and after a merger.
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For further information, please contact Maria Brookes, Media Relations Manager:
+44 (0)20 7612 7072
+44 (0)7890 649 143
Notes to Editors:
1 ICSA: The Governance Institute is the professional body for governance. We have members in all sectors and are required by our Royal Charter to lead ‘effective governance and efficient administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’. With over 125 years’ experience, we work with regulators and policy makers to champion high standards of governance and provide qualifications, training and guidance.
Website: www.icsa.org.uk
Full details of the workshop programme can be found at www.icsa.org.uk/academyworkshop
