AGBIS/HMC/ISBA | Heads, Governors and Bursars’ Conference

09.00 -10.00

Registration and refreshments

10.00 – 10.05

Welcome and opening remarks

Speaker:

Julie Robinson - CEO, ISC

10.05 – 10.35

Plenary 1: Keynote (Title TBC)

Speaker: 

Amit Mehta - Founder and CEO, Inspired Learning Group

10.35 – 11.20

Plenary 2: If Not This, Then What? Reimagining Governance for the Future 

Speakers:

Barney Northover - Partner, VWV

Jane Lunnon - Head, Alleyn’s School

Neil Cufley - COO, Russell School Trust

Chair: 

Mark Taylor - Bursar, King's School, Canterbury, and Interim Chair, ISC

11.20 – 11.50

Refreshment break among the exhibitors

11.50 – 12.40

Workshop Sessions (Block A)

1.     Restructures and Redundancy Programmes

Speaker: 

Krissy Scott - Partner, HCR Law

2.     TPS and Pension Changes

Speakers: 

Oliver Daniels - Partner, HCR Law

Rachel Parkin - Partner, HCR Law

3.     Building Strong Boards: Recruitment, Agility and the Clerk’s Leadership

Speakers:

Richard Harman - CEO, AGBIS

Ginny Parkes - Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS

Diana Robinson - Trustee and Treasurer, AGBIS and Clerk to Governors, Westminster School  

Chair:

Julie Robinson - CEO, ISC

4.     Development and fundraising and building a culture of philanthropy

Speakers:  

Kathrin Ostermann - Director of Philanthropy and External Engagement, City of London School

Simon Lerwill - Interim Director of Development, Hertford College, University of Oxford

Philip Britton - HMC Chair 2025-26 and Head of Foundation, Bolton School

5.     International Opportunities

Speaker: 

Leigh Webb - CEO, ISC Research

12.40 – 13.30

Lunch

13.35 – 14.25

Workshop Sessions (Block B)

1.     Forming Groups/Mergers and Acquisitions

Speaker: 

Andrew Frame - M&A Partner, Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP

2.     Risk management and mitigation / communicating effectively with parents/stakeholders

Speakers: 

Tim Toulmin - Managing Director, Alder

Jack Myers - Senior Account Director, Alder

3.     Independent education lite - no frills/alt. models. Hybrid/online school model

Speaker: 

Mark Steed - Consultant and Director, Steed Education

4.     From Insight to Impact: What The Art of the Bursar Means for You

Not just another report. Real-world insights on what makes a Bursar appointment effective. And why your Head–Bursar–Chair dynamic could be your school’s greatest strategic asset.  

Speakers: 

David Woodgate - Chief Executive, ISBA

Sue Roxby - Director of Advice and Guidance, ISBA

Heather Styche-Patel - CEO, RSAcademics

5.     Wellbeing: How do Leaders Sustain Themselves and Others

Speaker: 

George Hartley - Head, The Kings School Chester

14.25 – 14.30

Movement time between sessions

14.30 – 15.20

Plenary 3: Strategy and Horizon Scanning

Speakers: 

Mike Lambert - Global Education Director, Inspired Education Group

Amber Waite - Principal, St Albans Education Group and HMC Board Member

Adrian Bowcher - CFO, The Dean Close Foundation

Chair: 

Duncan Murphy - CSO, MTM Consulting

15.25 – 15.50

Refreshment break among the exhibitors

15.55 – 16.25

Plenary 4: Turning Team Differences into Assets: How Self-Awareness, Coaching, and Communication Transformed a School’s Future.

Speakers:

David Cresswell - Headmaster, Barnard Castle School

Suzanne Metcalf - Bursar and Clerk to the Governors, Barnard Castle School

Catherine Sunley - Chair of Governors, Barnard Castle School

Chair: 

Jo Beckett - Founder and Director, Jo Beckett Coaching and Development

16.25 – 16.40

Closing remarks and depart

Speakers: 

Richard Harman - CEO, AGBIS

Simon Hyde - CEO, HMC;

David Woodgate - CEO, ISBA