5 February 2026 at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.
This event is now fully booked. If you would like to join the waitlist, please click below.
This year’s conference will explore what it means for trust leaders to take the long view and plan with clarity, resilience, and purpose. As the sector navigates increasing cost pressures in a very challenging fiscal environment, significant policy reform and a changing funding landscape, the conference will explore how trusts can plan strategically for long-term sustainability and maintain their focus on delivering high-quality education for every child.
Delegates will hear from leading policymakers, sector experts, and peers, and will leave with greater insight, practical tools and renewed confidence to navigate change and shape strategies that will strengthen their trusts for the decade ahead.
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 conference is an extension of CST's Finance and Operations professional communities - unique spaces for school trust staff to network, share, and learn, all year round. Community membership is an integral part of CST membership.
Audit Director and Responsible Individual, Bishop Fleming LLP
Audit Director and Responsible Individual, Bishop Fleming LLP
Chris has worked with the academy sector since its creation in 2010 and now leads academy operations at Bishop Fleming, overseeing training, development, and an annual programme of sector events. He has worked with more than 40 trusts, advising on growth and helping school trusts shape their strategic journey.
Chris is a contributor to the Kreston Academy Benchmarking Report, leading the data analysis that underpins its insights. Each year, he and his team sift through vast amounts of financial information to identify trends and deliver clarity, enabling trust leaders to benchmark effectively and make informed decisions.
In addition to his benchmarking work, Chris represents the profession in national forums, including the DfE’s Academy Accounts Direction working group and the counter-fraud working group, and has helped shape sector reporting through DfE good practice guides. His focus on data-driven insight ensures his benchmarking contributions are both rigorous and practical for trust leaders.
Executive Author and Head of the Charities and Not-for-Profit Sector, Bishop Fleming LLP
Executive Author and Head of the Charities and Not-for-Profit Sector, Bishop Fleming LLP
David has been at the heart of the education sector for nearly 20 years, working with academy trusts since the academies act and guiding clients through conversions, MAT setups, mergers and growth. He is also Bishop Fleming’s lead partner for charities and not for profits.
David is the executive author and editor of the Kreston Academy Benchmarking Report, a role he has held since the second edition in 2014. This long-standing involvement gives him a unique, in-depth understanding of the financial trends shaping the academy sector. His work ensures the report provides relevant, evidence-based insights that trust leaders can apply to both compliance and strategic planning.
Through his benchmarking expertise and hands-on client experience, David offers practical, pragmatic advice that helps trusts and charities alike navigate the challenges of governance, financial sustainability, and long-term planning.
Director General, Regions Group, DfE
Director General, Regions Group, DfE
Dr Tim Coulson started his role as Director General, Regions Group at the Department for Education on 8 September 2025.
Before his appointment he was Chief Executive of Unity Schools Partnership – a trust of 40 primary, secondary and special schools.
Earlier in his career Tim served as: director of education at Essex County Council, regional schools commissioner for east of England and north east London, headteacher at William Tyndale Primary School, leader of an education action zone in Lambeth, and national director of the national numeracy strategy.
The conference is fully booked - join our waiting list for any late availability.
For details about commercial tickets, please contact conference@cstuk.org.uk.
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources
Fully booked£420 inc VAT at 20%
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources plus a networking dinner the night before the conference
Fully booked£474 inc VAT at 20%
Non-CST member place for conference including keynotes, workshops, and lunch
Not available£492 inc VAT at 20%
Our conference takes place at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.
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.
Eastside Rooms
2 Woodcock Street
Birmingham
B7 4BL
The conference takes place on 5 February 2026.
Delegate registration will begin at 08:00 with the main programme running approximately 09:15 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