Our Networks

#TrustLeaders Operations Leaders Network

A unique network for academy trust COOs and operations leaders

Connect

Join our community of COOs and operations leaders, which shares ideas thoughts and knowledge, contributing to a sector that thrives

Informed

We provide our members with expertise & insights through our leading events and weekly briefings

Independent

As a fully indpendent organisation we are fully committed to the interests and benefits of our members.

What is the #TrustLeaders Operations Leaders Network?

Since its inception in 2020, the National #TrustLeaders Operations Leaders Network has gone from strength to strength, becoming a thriving and ongoing leadership development opportunity for academy trust operations leaders from across the country. This network is for individuals leading operations in academy trusts or other education organisations – this includes (but is not limited to) chief operating officers, chief finance officers and/or chief finance and operations officers, trust business managers, HR professionals and people leads.

The network involves:

  • Access to regular online network meetings focused on key strategic issues, supported by experts from within and beyond the education sector;
  • Access for member and a guest to our annual National #TrustLeaders Operations Leaders conference each October;
  • Access for member to the fifth annual National #TrustLeaders Symposium in June;
  • Access to regular ‘Reflect and Connect’ sessions with a small group of peers focused on a strategic issue;
  • Access to Forum Strategy’s membership website including a range of resources – including articles, case studies, thinkpieces and video interviews with expert leaders;
  • Complimentary access to Forum Strategy’s weekly strategy and intelligence briefing and fortnightly funding and grants briefing (during term time).

Being new in post as a COO I have found the networks invaluable.  A great forum in which to ask questions and seek support from colleagues about a wide range of topics.  There haven’t been any sessions I have attended which I haven’t found useful.

My experiences of the COO network have been really positive – I have particularly valued the wider sector inputs so I can think beyond education. The role of COO can be a lonely one at times so I’ve really valued access to peers across the country

The network has been really beneficial – particularly the opportunity to form partnerships and connections with those who present. Although I am retiring this Summer, I have recommended the network to the incoming COO who will be joining.

And, in addition, the first year of membership includes access to a cutting-edge development programme led by author and leading expert, Jennifer Geary:

The first year of network membership (for those joining from 15th October 2025) includes an extensive online development course ‘How to be a Chief Operating Officer’, developed by highly acclaimed author and trainer on the Chief Operating Officer role, Jennifer Geary.

Jennifer is a former Managing Director, COO and Chief Risk Officer with over 25 years of experience in finance, technology, risk and legal, across diverse industries from financial services to not-for-profit (such as Save the Children UK).  She is also a five-time author – including the book ‘How to be a Chief Operating Officer’, and mentor to emerging businesses. She has attained qualification as a chartered accountant, PRINCE 2 practitioner, CISA and CISSP, with recent certifications in Geopolitical Analysis, Sustainable Finance, ESG Investing and Ethical AI.

As a leading figure in successful operations leadership, Jennifer has developed a 4-hour online development course for operations leaders covering critical areas of focus such as:

  • strategic positioning (aligning the COO role with organisational goals)
  • organisational excellence (how to build and structure high-performing teams)
  • the sixteen disciplines of the COO (a structured model for skills and knowledge)
  • the three pillars of risk leadership – culture, strategy and execution and
  • future-proofing (staying ahead of emerging risks such as sustainability and AI/Tech).

Forum Strategy have worked alongside Jennifer to tailor this development course to the context of academy trusts operations leaders by offering a context specific introduction and completion session and the inclusion of three books to wrap around the content of the online course. The addition of this development course to our operations leaders network, offers a uniquely valuable opportunity to learn and development in the role (for current serving operations leaders) or in preparation for the role (for those moving into or aspiring to operations focused roles).

Operations Leaders Network membership is for individuals who are fulfilling operations focused roles, and we invite applications for membership for a twelve-month period. If you are currently a member of our network, renewal information will be sent to you at the end of your current membership.

National #TrustLeaders Operational Leaders network

For Academy Trust operational leaders
£1250.00 (+VAT) /annually
  • Five workshop sessions with relevant speakers from a wide range of sectors, focusing on strategic issues ranging from HR and technology to recruitment and sustainability. Two sessions will be held face to face in person (*Covid19 restrictions allowing) and three will be held online.
  • One of the above five sessions is the national #TrustLeaders symposium taking place on 3rd June 2026 in Nottingham. If your membership begins after this date, it will include the June 2026 event instead.
  • Access to the members’ section of the Forum Strategy website, containing dozens of resources for COOs and executive leaders of trusts;
  • Access to the ‘How to be a Chief Operating Officer’ development course in first year of membership. Members will contact Forum Strategy to receive a unique access code at the point of requesting access to the course. Please note that your data will be shared with Jennifer Geary should you enrol onto the programme. Jennifer, as a Forum Strategy associate, has committed to our expectations that all data is handled consistently with GDPR requirements. The programme should be undertaken within 12 months of enrolment within the initial 12-month membership period of the network.
  • Access to our regular online Members’ Breakfast briefings and Members’ masterclasses;
  • Access to our half-termly Chairs of Trustees seminars for your Chair;
  • A complimentary (as of September 2021) individual subscription to our weekly strategy and intelligence email briefing and our fortnightly funding and grants briefings. Please note that briefings are strictly for the individual recipient only and are usually sent during ‘term time’ only.
  • Exclusive opportunity for #TrustLeaders members only to access our consultancy expertise for trust board visioning and strategy days; board development training; and executive coaching offers. Please note this provision is subject to availability and is not included in the price of membership, but subject to separate pricing. This specific consultancy offer is not available to non-members.
  • All of our networks run continuously throughout the year and you can apply at any time to join. Your 12 month membership will begin on confirmation of your successful application.
Apply here
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