Taking the opportunity to learn from within the education sector and also, vitally, beyond it too, is a critical part of the CEO role. Seizing opportunities to learn, to develop strategic thinking and to make the time to consider shared system-wide issues and themes helps to ensure you and your trust is benefitting from the latest intelligence and the widest possible pool of expertise. At this term’s CEO network, we will be hearing from a range of contributors, focusing in on the topics of accountability and learning, system leadership and using your voice and influence as CEOs.

We will hear from Kathryn Smith, CEO of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE),  who – as an experienced Chief Executive – will give her thoughts on how to succeed and thrive in the role, especially when working at scale and across geographical distance; her reflections and tips on current strategic priorities for executive leaders that are facing all organisations; and her advice on leading a thriving, inclusive organisation that puts those who access services at its heart. She will also touch on the importance of system leadership and share her perspective on how the role of CEO can be the driving force for real, sustainable, system-led improvement. The session will be guided by Network Chair, Sir Steve Lancashire – drawing on his experience as former CEO of one of the country’s largest trusts. We will also be joined by Katie Whirledge, Founder & Director of Papillon Communications, who will explore the CEO’s role in building trust presence and partnership in local communities, with a focus on communications strategies and tactics for doing so, particularly in light of an ever-shifting political landscape. This session will provide CEOs with helpful advice and guidance on how best to ensure your voice is represented in the right places, to reach the right audiences.

Frank Norris MBE, former senior HMI manager responsible for school, early years and initial teacher education including Framework Development and former CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, also joins the network session to share key learning and themes from the last year of Ofsted’s Multi-Academy Trust Summary Evaluations (MATSE). Frank will share his analysis of the summary evaluations so far in this last calendar year, sharing important insights and learning for CEOs within this and also enabling you to anticipate the structure and approach of these evaluations, should your trust receive a MATSE in future.

Agenda

9.30am: Welcome; Sir Steve Lancashire, Network Chair
9.40am: Strategic update – key themes for trusts in 2023; Alice Gregson, Executive Director, Forum Strategy
10.00am: Amplifying your voice and influence as CEO; Katie Whirledge, Founder & Director, Papillion Communications
10.30am: Sharing learning from Ofsted MATSEs; Frank Norris MBE
11.15am: Being the CEO in 2023 – a cross sector perspective; Kathryn Smith, CEO, SCIE
11.50am: Final thoughts and close

Please note Papillon Communications is a commercial partnership to Forum Strategy. In selecting our partners we do so with reference to their expertise in their field and alignment with Forum Strategy’s ethos and values.

To book onto the CEO network session, please book using the following form. Please note that you must be a current individual member of the Forum Strategy CEO network to attend:

Booking Form