Learn more about our speakers below. Our speakers include leading practitioners in education, expert policy thinkers, and inspirational voices from across the sector. We will be adding more speakers as we approach the event, so keep checking back for more details.
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.
Audit Partner and Head of Academies, Bishop Fleming
Audit Partner and Head of Academies, Bishop Fleming
With 25 years’ audit experience, Kevin has specialised in the academy sector for the past 15 years, supporting a diverse portfolio of academy trusts, including some of the largest school trusts in the country. He is particularly experienced in advising trusts in financial difficulty, working with the DfE, and guiding trusts on matters of regularity, governance and trading subsidiaries.
As one of the key authors of the Kreston Academy Benchmarking Report, Kevin brings first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. His contribution to the report is backed by his reputation as a sector expert – recognised by regulators and trusted to provide input into DfE guidance. Kevin combines deep technical expertise with a relationship-driven approach, sharing benchmarking insights to help trusts strengthen their financial sustainability and strategic decision-making.
Chief Finance and Operations Officer, STEP Academy Trust
Chief Finance and Operations Officer, STEP Academy Trust
Ben has worked at senior positions with the public sector for many years and was part of a pilot programme for aspiring business managers run by the National College, achieving an Advanced Diploma in 2013. Ben joined STEP in 2014, and since that time has embedded a business strategy which has facilitated STEP’s growth from four schools in Croydon to 20 across London and the south east, as well as ensuring consistently strong outcomes for pupils. Currently, Ben’s remit includes oversight of the STEP Ahead Teaching School Hub, as well as all functions that support the education offer of the trust.
As part of Ben’s commitment to the education sector, he has been involved in shaping various pilots organised by the department, including the SRMA and mentoring CFO programmes. This is in addition to supporting the department on bespoke projects and undertaking trust reviews on behalf of regional directors as well as at the request of trust boards. Keen to support the sector in other ways, Ben also speaks at national conferences and has been commissioned by Ambition Institute and Fig Tree International to present on their executive programmes.
Ben is a qualified accountant and recently completed his NPQH. Ben is a Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leaders and past Trustee of the Institute.
Director of Finance/CFO, Creative Education Trust
Director of Finance/CFO, Creative Education Trust
Catherine is Community Chair for CST's Finance professional community and is excited to help trust colleagues benefit from the collaboration and support provided by the community.
Catherine is passionate about providing an excellent education for children and developing strong teams to deliver a high-quality financial service for schools. An experienced chartered accountant and member of the executive team, Catherine is Chief Financial Officer for Creative Education Trust.
Education Consultancy Director, The Litmus Partnership Ltd
Education Consultancy Director, The Litmus Partnership Ltd
Joe is Education Consultancy Director at The Litmus Partnership Ltd, a leading provider of catering and facilities management consultancy to schools and universities across the UK. He joined Litmus in 2012 and has worked extensively across all education sectors as a consultant since 2008. Before that he managed student residences in London and worked for a global facilities company.
Joe specialises in helping schools get best value from their catering and cleaning services through benchmarking, strategic reviews, tendering and performance management for many prestigious clients across the sector.
Chief Executive, CST
Chief Executive, CST
Leora Cruddas is the founding Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts – the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England. She has advised successive governments and sits on several Department for Education advisory bodies. She was recently the vice chair of the Head Teacher Standards Review Group, a member of the external advisory group for the Schools White Paper, SEND National Implementation Board and the Regulatory and Commissioning Review.
Prior to founding CST, she was Director of Policy and Public Relations for the Association of School and College Leaders. Leora has six years of experience as a director of education in two London local authorities. She is a visiting professor at UCL Institute of Education. Leora was made a CBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours.
Associate Partner, Barker Associates
Associate Partner, Barker Associates
Matt Isherwood is an Associate Partner at Barker following 14 years at Brooke Weston Trust as Director of Estates. He has been a long-standing and strong advocate for best practice on good estates management, energy, sustainability, and use of data-driven decision making. Matt has enormous knowledge and experience of estates management from the client side and is now working with Barker to promote this knowledge to the wider education sector.
Director, Tracey Field Consulting Ltd
Director, Tracey Field Consulting Ltd
Tracey Field is an estates consultant and author of 'Leading & Managing an Education Estate'. With a career spanning local authority, private estates, and international projects, she has managed diverse portfolios including schools, heritage sites, and complex public sector estates. Tracey now runs Tracey Field Consulting Ltd, supporting schools and trusts to strengthen estate strategy, compliance, and project delivery. Tracey is a trustee for Ascent Multi Academy Trust and a thought leader for School Business Managers UK. Her work combines hands-on experience with clear, practical guidance for education leaders.
