This term’s COO network meeting will focus on strategic and future-focused operational leadership, offering trust Chief Operating Officers (COOs) and senior operational leaders the opportunity to step back, reflect, and engage with expert thinking on the evolving role of operations leadership in multi-academy trusts.

As the education landscape becomes more complex, the role of operational leaders continues to grow in strategic significance. This session will provide timely insights and practical guidance on the key developments shaping the COO role – from governance and compliance to innovation, leadership development, and digital transformation.

This network meeting will be chaired by Alice Gregson, CEO of Forum Strategy, and will include:

– A strategic update from Alice Gregson, focusing on the national picture for trust operations leaders and the priorities emerging within the current context. Alice will reflect on how the role of COO is shifting and why a strategic, values-driven approach remains critical in shaping trust culture and capacity for improvement.

– A keynote session from Michael Pain, Founder of Forum Strategy, exploring the transition from COO to CEO. As COOs play such a pivotal role in trust-wide leadership, Michael will examine what it takes to move from a specialist operations focused leadership position into the broader, strategic CEO role. This session will offer insight into leadership development, trust board expectations, and the evolving CEO landscape.

– An input from Wrigleys Solicitors, providing essential legal and compliance updates relevant to operational leaders. With the regulatory and legal environment continuing to shift, this session will equip attendees with the latest knowledge to ensure their trusts remain risk-aware and compliant.

– A session from Joe Blair, Director of Innovation at The Key Group, sharing practice from across the sector on how trusts are harnessing digital and technological solutions to operational and strategic challenges. Joe will provide insight into emerging innovations and offer real-world examples of how trusts are driving efficiency, connectivity, and effectiveness through smart use of technology.

– Time to connect with fellow operational leaders, share strategies, and explore how peers across the network are adapting to change, investing in innovation, and preparing their trusts for the future.

As the demands and opportunities of the COO role continue to expand, this event will offer an essential space to stay ahead of developments, share thinking, and lead with purpose. We look forward to welcoming you.

Please note that The Key are part of a paid for partnership with Forum Strategy. We choose our partners carefully based on their specific expertise and ethos.

To book onto this event, you must be a current member of Forum Strategy’s National COO Network. Please use the form below to book your place:

Booking Form