Steve Orton

Chief Finance & Operations Officer, Discovery Schools Academies Trust

Steve Orton is a qualified chartered accountant and currently serves as Chief Finance and Operations Officer for Discovery Trust, a position he has held since September 2023. He has worked within multi-academy trusts for over 10 years and brings more than 20 years of post-qualification experience in the education and charities sector, with a strong focus on financial leadership and operational excellence. In addition to his executive role, Steve is Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee at Learn Academies Trust and serves as a governor at Bingham Primary School. He is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of education and is deeply committed to values that promote equity, opportunity, and excellence.

Hall 9

1 Series four

GAG pooling: Driving fairness, resilience, and strategic impact

With rising costs and tightening budgets, some trusts are exploring GAG pooling as a way to build financial resilience and ensure equity across their academies. In this session, trust leaders will share their respective approaches – from equalising pension rates and centralising services, to using pooled reserves to support vulnerable schools and invest in shared priorities. We’ll discuss practical insights into how it works for them, the benefits it has the potential to unlock, and how to manage the cultural and leadership challenges along the way. Whether you are considering GAG pooling or looking to refine your existing approach, this session will help you think strategically and act confidently.