NGA MAT Conference (hosted at the Schools and Academies Show in May)
Join us for NGA’s MAT Conference on Thursday 7 May. We are delighted the School and Academies Show are hosting us in London. The event will include expert-led sessions that explore the strategic, structural, and accountability challenges facing trusts today, offering practical guidance to strengthen governance and decision-making.
By holding our MAT Conference at the wider Schools and Academies Show, you will gain additional benefits, including:
Free entry
Automatic registration for the 2-day SaaS event featuring 200+ top speakers.
Networking and exhibitor access
Access to 200+ exhibitors during the breaks.
Exclusive access
Exclusive NGA member sessions.
Agenda
Chair's opening address from NGA's Chief Executive, Emma Balchin.
Explore key questions facing multi-academy trusts, including:
- Defining a high performing and effective trust
- Is there a perfect size for a trust and what are the pros and cons regarding size?
- What are the barriers and enablers to merging trusts
- How can trusts balance arguments around place and community?
Speakers:
- Sam Henson – Deputy Chief Executive, National Governance Association
- Rob Peters – Director of Marketing and Communications, National Governance Association
- Sebrina Dawes – Trustee, Cygnus Academies Trust; Headteacher, Newbury Park Primary School
- Mike Petifer – Chief Executive Officer, Woodard Academies Trust
- Gulcin Sesli – Co-Chief Executive Officer, Spring Trust
Join this session on how Amazon Business is helping Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) modernise their procurement processes using intuitive digital solutions. Learn how MATs do this on platforms that automate purchasing workflows, provide total visibility of budgets and ensure compliance at scale. We’ll show you how MAT leaders are redirecting their resources away from paperwork and back towards their students.
This AQA session explores how Multi Academy Trusts can use trust level assessment insight to compare performance, surface issues earlier and evidence impact more confidently as the sector moves towards academic reform. Featuring real world MAT experience and a look ahead at the future of AQA Data Insights.
As growing and developing civic institutions, trusts need to communicate with many audiences beyond parents. Whether the media, community leaders and businesses, or other agencies, trusts need to convey a clear consistent message. How do you get the narrative right and remain true to your vision and values?
Speakers:
- Anna Pedroza – Director, Pedroza Communications
- Jessica Shepherd – Founder, Sparrowhawk Communications
Explore:
- How could trust inspections bring the most value and benefit to the sector?
- Exploring the possible risks associated with trust inspections, and how may these be mitigated?
- Where should inspection sit within broader policy initiatives?
Speakers:
- Sam Henson – Deputy Chief Executive, National Governance Association
- Samira Sadeghi – Director of Trust Governance, Confederation of School Trusts
- Tom Campbell – Chief Executive Officer, E-ACT
Explore:
- Â Is your Scheme of delegation up to the job?
- Â The importance of clear responsibilities and accountability in developing a trust capable change
- What does your organisational structure say about your trust culture, vision and ethos?
- What are the benefits and pitfalls of differing approaches to decision making?
Speakers:
- Matthew Crawford – Chief Executive Officer, Embark Federation
- Dr Kerry Jordan-Daus – Chief Executive Officer, Veritas MAT
- Trisha Jaffe – Chair of Trustees, Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust
- Gail Brown – Chief Executive Officer, Ebor Academy Trust
-
Michael Barton – Head of Policy and Impact, National Governance Association
Explore:
- What the contents of the White Paper will mean for trusts
- How much impact should policy documents, such as the White Paper, have on trusts with a strong ethos, clear goals and belief in the value of their offering?
- The future of trusts in the context of the White Paper
Speakers:
- Emma Balchin – Chief Executive, National Governance Association
- Sir Andrew Carter KBE – Former Chief Executive Officer, South Farnham Educational Trust
- Kulvarn Atwal – Vice-Chair, The Headteachers Roundtable
- Emily Verow – Chief Executive Officer, Three Spires Trust
-
Christina Jones – Chief Executive Officer, River Tees Multi-Academy Trust
Book your place
Excel London
Royal Victoria Dock
1 Western Gateway
London
E16 1XL
By train
The venue is connected by an Elizabeth line station, three DLR stations, a number of bus stops, and a cable car station.
Parking
If you’re using satellite navigation please enter the postcode E16 1FR for the entrance to the car park.
Speakers
Emma Balchin
Chief Executive
Emma has over 25 years of experience in education, leadership and school improvement and in leading professional development services. Emma has also governed and chaired across maintained schools, academy trusts and local academy committees.
Sam Henson
Deputy Chief Executive
Sam has been NGA's Deputy Chief Executive since January 2024 and previously worked as NGA's Director of Policy and Communications. Sam oversees NGA's policy, research, advocacy, external affairs and advice and guidance work. Sam works closely with and deputises for NGA's Chief Executive, leading the organisation to achieve positive change and drive influence at a national level through our policy and influencing work.
Rob Peters
Director of Marketing and Communications
Rob is a marketing strategist blending expertise in IT and e-business. He leads NGA's marketing and communications directorate, overseeing marketing, web, communications, governance development, and customer service operations.
Sebrina Dawes
Trustee, Cygnus Academies Trust; Headteacher, Newbury Park Primary School
Sebrina is Headteacher of a large, diverse primary school serving a highly mobile community. She is committed to inclusion, high-quality curriculum design and staff development, and has led sustained improvements in teaching and learning through an evidence-informed approach and a culture of high expectations and collaboration. She is particularly interested in how schools and trusts can balance consistency with professional autonomy, and how strong organisational culture supports sustainable school improvement. She brings a practical, school-based perspective to discussions around trust effectiveness, growth and system leadership.
Mike Petifer
Chief Executive Officer, Woodard Academies Trust
Mike Pettifer has spent his career in education, including nine years as the senior civil servant at the Education and Skills Funding Agency responsible for delivering funding to schools, ensuring the financial health and accountability of the school and academy sector, and maintaining high standards of financial probity. He led over 500 staff and was responsible for allocating over 40bn per annum. From July 2020, he was Director of the Department for Education Covid Response Unit, working and planning across all education and care sectors until joining Woodard Academies Trust in August 2022, where he continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer. Earlier in his career, Mike spent a decade at the Learning Skills Councils, working locally on the planning and funding of Further Education, promoting the delivery of apprenticeships, and funding adult and community learning to improve outcomes for young people and adults in their local area. The transformative power of education is of real importance to Mike who benefited from it himself and is committed to making sure as many children and young people as possible can do the same. He started his career as an English and ESOL teacher at the City of Westminster College spending five years delivering programmes to support refugees learning English and finding work placements. He also did a lot of work with young people on apprenticeship programmes and has carried the experience of those early years with him throughout his career.
Gulcin Sesli
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Spring Trust
Gulcin became the Headteacher of Midfield Primary School in 2012. She joined the Trust in 2016, and within a year, advanced to the role of Executive Headteacher. With a deep understanding of school improvement, she played a pivotal role in transforming Midfield Primary from a 'good' school to an 'outstanding one', marking a first for the local area. Currently, as Co-CEO, Gulcin oversees both Education and Safeguarding for the Trust.
Anna Pedroza
Director, Pedroza Communications
Anna is an experienced communications professional who has worked in the education sector for 20 years. She runs Pedroza Communications, a specialist consultancy which helps schools, charities, membership organisations, public bodies, and businesses to communicate their message effectively and with impact. Anna has held various senior communications roles including Director of Marketing and Communications at the award-winning service Teachers TV and Director of the Skills for Life Development Centre at the Education Development Trust. Anna is a Chartered member of the CIPR, a member of the advisory group for the Schools and Academies Show and helps to run the Education Comms Network.
Jessica Shepherd
Founder, Sparrowhawk Communications
Jessica Shepherd is the Founder and Director of Sparrowhawk Communications, a PR and communications consultancy for the education sector. She spent almost 10 years at the Guardian, mostly as Education Correspondent, but also as one of the News Editors. Jessica has also worked in senior communications roles for major Government departments and as Head of Communications and Campaigns for education organisations. Sparrowhawk Communications works with MATs, schools, colleges, universities, EdTechs and education charities across the country, raising their profile and managing their reputations. Jessica is also a trustee of a Muti-Academy Trust in Barnet.
Samira Sadeghi
Director of Trust Governance, Confederation of School Trusts
Samira is Director of Trust Governance at the Confederation of School Trusts. She has been involved in school governance for over a decade. Prior to joining CST, she served as Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust (now Lift Schools), a trust with 57 schools. She started her career in governance with Ark Schools, as a regional governance officer, overseeing governance at 17 schools in London. Before she moved to the U.K. with her family in 2010, Samira was a criminal defence attorney in California representing men on death row on their habeas corpus petitions for almost 12 years.
Tom Campbell
Chief Executive Officer , E-ACT
Matthew Crawford
Chief Executive Officer, Embark Federation
Matthew is Trust Leader of Embark Federation which is a trust of 21 schools educating over 8500 children across Derbyshire. He was designated a National Leader of Education in 2017 for the work he has done as a system leader. Matthew supported over twenty schools across Derbyshire who are now all judged to be good or better by Ofsted. He believes that schools are ‘stronger together’ and enjoys sharing practice whilst also learning from others and helping to improve the federation. He also believes that schools should be at the heart of their communities whilst providing their children with the best possible education. All schools in the federation have an exciting curriculum which is accompanied by a rich diet of wider opportunities in Music, Sport, Science and the Arts. The trust has used sponsorship opportunities and grants to fund aspirational events for the children. A keen sportsman, Matthew now enjoys a game of golf at weekends and supporting the Welsh rugby team! Family is very important to Matthew. He is father to Sophie and Daniel who are the most precious things in his life.
Dr Kerry Jordan-Daus
Chief Executive Officer, Veritas MAT
Trisha Jaffe
Chair of Trust, Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust
A teacher for 40 years with a particular interest in SEND, PPG, and LAC, my last 18 years were spent as Headteacher of a south London comprehensive. I was involved in the Schools Facing Challenging Circumstances group, working with HMIs and other Headteachers in London. The school was filmed by London Challenge for its videos. It was also filmed by Jamie Oliver for Jamie's School Dinners. I was a visiting fellow of the Institute of Education at UCL and an Ofsted Inspector. Since retiring I have been Chair of Governors at the Boxing Academy in Hackney for 3 years and Chair of Trust at Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust since 2016.
Gail Brown
Chief Executive Officer, Ebor Academy Trust
Michael Barton
Head of Policy and Impact
Michael spearheads NGA's policy work, through which we represent our members; champion governance; and advocate for change in line with our policy positions. This includes engagement with external partners such as government, parliamentarians, trade unions and other colleagues.
Sir Andrew Carter KBE
Former Chief Executive Officer, Formerly South Farnham Educational Trust
Kulvarn Atwal
Executive Head Teacher, The Thinking Schools Federation
Dr Kulvarn Atwal FCCT has spent his entire career teaching and leading in East London schools and is currently Executive Head Teacher at Highlands Primary School and Uphall Primary School. Highlands was recently awarded the Mayor of London’s Schools for Success award for the third year in a row; one of only 30 primary or secondary schools in London to achieve this award. Kulvarn specialises in teacher professional learning. His doctoral thesis highlighted the factors that impact upon teacher engagement in professional learning activities, with a particular focus on workplace learning theories and action research. He has recently been awarded Fellowship Status at the Chartered College of Education. He published his first book, ‘The Thinking School. Developing a Dynamic Learning Community’ in March 2019. He occasionally tweets @thinkingschool2.
Emily Verow
Chief Executive Officer, Three Spires Trust
Christina Jones
Chief Executive Officer, River Tees Multi-Academy Trust
Christina has a background in school improvement, championing ambitious outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. She is a Designated Safeguarding Lead, SENDCO and Specialist Teacher. Christina is involved various networks across the North-East and nationally.