Derek Hills
COO, Inspiring Futures Through Learning Multi Academy Trust
Derek Hills is the Chief Operating Officer at Inspiring Futures Through Learning, a trust of 21 schools operating across Milton Keynes and North Northamptonshire. Derek brings nearly 17 years experience across a number of operational roles at school trusts like Harris Federation, where he created and led the data and systems across the trust, and Ark Schools, where he was Director of IT, Data and Systems.
Laying strong foundations
1 Workshop series one
Leading digital transformation within constraints: Two perspectives - lean structures and blending ideas
This panel discussion explores two different approaches to digital transformation in trusts operating under significant real-world constraints. One perspective focuses on phased implementation within lean structures and limited budgets; the other on preparing to bring together two very different digital ecosystems through merger. We will examine practical approaches to sequencing decisions, building buy-in, governance, infrastructure readiness and avoiding technology-led implementation. The session will offer grounded insight into balancing ambition with operational reality in different trust contexts.