COMMUNITY SUPPORTER in association with
5 March 2026 at The Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
Advance tickets are now available for this popular event, which brings together school trust leaders from across the country.
The event will focus on the strategic issues that matter most to this important aspect of education, with speakers drawn from trust practitioners, policy experts, and the wider sector.
Full details of the programme and speakers will be released nearer the date but you can secure your place now.
Hear from some of today's leading educational thinkers
Give you and your leadership team time to re-think how your trust works
Connect with colleagues from school trusts across the country
Engage with innovative providers to the school trust sector
This summit is an extension of the CST Communications professional community - a unique space for school trust staff to network, share, and learn, all year round. Community membership is an integral part of CST membership.
Group Manager, Public Affairs Sectors, Information Commissioner's Office
Jenny leads the ICO’s engagement with the education sector. As the UK’s independent regulator of data protection and freedom of information law, the ICO safeguards and empowers people by upholding information rights and providing regulatory certainty to organisations. With over 15 years’ experience in ICO policy development and engagement, Jenny has led on many important areas of work including regulation of the press, criminal records and political campaigning. She now leads a specialist policy and engagement team responsible for education, health, and local government.
Digital Marketing Manager, REAch2 Academy Trust
Nico is responsible for REAch2's digital presence, including its website and SharePoint based intranet. He originally joined the trust as an application support engineer before being seconded to REAch2's marketing team to build and develop the trust and school websites, providing support and training to schools, and using data intelligence to develop a better experience for stakeholders.
Head of Brand Strategy and Partnerships, Thinking Schools Academy Trust
Lauren Wilson is the Head of Brand Strategy and Partnerships at Thinking Schools Academy Trust, playing a strategic role in shaping and delivering the trust's marketing and communications. With a focus on internal communications and engagement as well as external collaborations, Lauren works with a diverse range of clients to deliver projects that align with the trust's mission and values. Throughout her career, Lauren has led high-profile initiatives, including comprehensive rebranding campaigns, large-scale event management and developing a high performing team to achieve positive results. Lauren has also been instrumental in the delivery of crisis communications priorities, helping guide the trust and its academies through challenging situations with clear and impactful messaging. Lauren's expertise in strategic communications, quick adaptability, and results-driven marketing has earned her a strong reputation as she continues to work alongside other marketing leaders to share best practice, improve processes, and grow effective teams centred on doing the right thing for our academies and trusts.
For details about commercial tickets, please contact conference@cstuk.org.uk.
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources
Book your place£330 inc VAT at 20%
Non-CST member place for conference including keynotes, workshops, and lunch
Book your place£408 inc VAT at 20%
Our conference takes place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, a short walk from Birmingham New Street train station.
We recommend using public transport wherever possible to attend. The venue is within Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone and there may be additional fees for driving to the venue.
Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
Hill Street
Birmingham
B5 4EW
The CST Communications Summit takes place on 6 March 2026.
The full programme will published nearer to the event date, but delegate registration is expected to begin at around 08:30 with main programme running approximately 09:30 to 16:00.
Delegate places include full access to conference main sessions, workshops, and exhibition, plus refreshments, and lunch during the day.
Overnight accommodation is not included and delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
The event programme is provisional and subject to change. Booking terms and conditions apply.
Imagery is from past events and may not reflect future programmes.
Confederation of School Trusts · Registered in England & Wales, company no: 05303883 · Charity no: 1107640.
CST Professional Development Ltd · Registered in England & Wales, company no: 10354936 · VAT Registration Number 270 0880 18
Registered offices both at 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, England, W1W 5PF