Ben March

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.

1 Workshop series two

From core to strategic: maximising the impact of the trust finance function

The finance function is evolving fast - no longer just about balancing the books, but about driving strategic decisions, shaping growth, and enabling value and growth. In this interactive session will present new research exploring the evolving role of the finance function within Trusts - from core transactional delivery to strategic enabler of value and growth. Drawing on IMP Software’s benchmarking data from trusts of varying sizes, the session will examine how financial service delivery is distributed across Trusts, the relationship between cost and value, and what defines a truly strategic finance function. Through discussion and peer reflection, leaders will consider how their function can maximise strategic impact and strengthen the overall value they bring to their Trusts.

09:20

1 Main programme

Welcome remarks by the Community Chairs

Welcome remarks from CST's Finance and operations professional community Chairs: Catherine Hughes, <span class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Director of Finance/CFO, </span>Creative Education Trust, and Ben March, Chief Finance and Operations Officer, STEP Academy Trust.