Developing the Trust

Tim Warneford

The Developing the Trust Podcast uses conversations with key people in the School's Academy Sector to join the dots and improve communication with the many different service providers in the sector. Hosted by Tim Warneford, funding expert and MD of Warneford Consulting

  1. 11/18/2022

    DTT Edward Thomas Nov 2022

    Developing the Trust

  2. 05/29/2022

    20. Phil Reynolds; Formerly of Kreston Reeves and now PLR Advisory

    For this episode Tim Warneford is in Sittingbourne in Kent to speak to Phil Reynolds. Phil has spent over 20 years specialising in academy schools accountancy firstly at pecialist accountants Kreston Reeves and now with his own consultancy PLR Advisory We explore how specialist accountancy can assist schools determine a trust strategy and how upskilling in house SLTT through training and development can achieve operational wins.

  3. 07/16/2021

    James Robson, Chairman of Powerful Allies

    For this episode Tim Warneford travels to Wiltshire to speak to Powerful Allies Chairman, James Robson, about the risks posed to academy schools for energy procurement in an un-regulated market place.    On this episode we discuss:   The raw deals schools are getting with energy contracts  Opaque culture of energy procurement system Seems against schools interests Risks facing schools in unregulated market James Robson's path to the academy sector His background in aviation, airports then electricity and gas The industry being, surprisingly, unregulated  The shock that academies have no recourse if things go wrong Going into the market with a transparent tender Working on better contracts than the local authority Local authorities no longer happy with procurement methodology  But are reluctant to change supplier Introducing competitive tender means best value  ESFA being strong about cost certainty  Local authorities having no competitive tender or certainty of future price  Volume purchases being attractive but not bespoke  Academies cannot deal directly with supplier  Energy is the second largest cost to school (after staffing) How schools/academies should challenge brokers who contact them  Schools need to be more sceptical about brokers' offerings  An apparent disconnect between the contract and the school  How securing a fixed price energy contract for the duration IS possible  How they are fixing rates for clients for several years  Some schools getting a nasty shock with energy cost rises  There are recourses for schools that have been overcharged schools will need help with this  Schools likely to face more costs - cost certainty being essential  School staff having been wrongly trusted or been misold by brokers

  4. 05/10/2021

    CIF Update and How to Create a Successful Bid

    The hot topic of conversation across the sector is the recent update from the ESFA, revealing that the much awaited publication of the 2021-22 round of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) awards, have been postponed until 'mid-June'. This episode looks at the impact of the delay, why CIF bids fail and how to ensure your CIF submission stands the best chance of success.   On this episode we explore:   The latest news on CIF The announcement being not was anticipated. The updates on gov.uk including the size of the CIF allocation (£502 Million) A drop from last year's double round of CIF of £620 Million But up by 20% on previous years CIF pot of circa £440 million The ESFA saying mid-June' will still give lead-in time Post Brexit issues The knock on-effect of more projects will be delivered in term time An increase in health and safety risks and for disruption for schools Some trusts may defer projects until next year Stiff competition between CIF eligible schools Why CIF Bids fail Tim's recommended approach for a successful bid How to make a bid stand out     Contact Tim:   07970 466 010 tim@warnefordconsulting.com

  5. 10/15/2020

    Harvey Sinclair, CEO E Energy PLC

    On this episode Tim talks to Harvey Sinclair, a technology entrepreneur and CEO of E Energy PLC about the fast-moving world of lighting and also electrified heating discussing how schools can save energy and indeed costs by changing their electrics.   On this episode we cover:  Harvey's background in the industry Schools struggling with capital investment Efficiency upgrades always way down the list Switching to LED to fund savings Salix being attractive but fraught with problems Offering a Salix advisory process Need a high quality energy services provider with experience in schools Most schools considered LED lighting but not gone through with it Can be a partner for advising and auditing Launched the new fund to support the 0% funding solution Investing 5 million into their business model Having a seamless data collection process Collecting date in an unobtrusive way Capturing data quickly and accurately The number of pupils can roughly give an estimate of costs Calculating by room by zoning buildings during operating hours Installing over 70 calls in 8 weeks of summer holidays Having the capacity to do 20-30 schools a month The 3 year plan to fit 3000 schools 10% of the schools market Looking into electrified heating as well as lighting Being a specialised energy company Will conduct a no win no fee survey that will turn into complete proposal for the school Cost of delay is the biggest value driver of any energy project They can be on site within a week Then two weeks later a report will be finished Having exclusive products specific to education market A ten year warranty and within a week delivery

  6. 08/05/2020

    Steve Bolt, Director of BCR Associates

    Tim Warneford is in Alton, Hampshire, with Steve Bolt, director of BCR Associates, a cost management consultancy that support clients – including academies - to increase efficiency, manage risk, ensure compliance and rationalise procurement costs. Tim and Steve are also working on a collaboration with Lloyds Bank education team to support academy trusts seeking to assist academy trust to optimise resources and maximise potential.   On this episode we cover:   The challenges of managing large estates, buildings and energy efficiency BCR understand how a site consumes energy They will audit and review their energy To allow academies to help educate staff and pupils on energy consumption Looking at what is going in the energy metres Getting clamps sponsored so there's no outlay for the school Schools taking positive steps towards reducing energy consumption Pupils then looking at global warming and climate change DfE encouraging people to address carbon reduction Lockdown reducing energy consumption worldwide Schools being encouraged to invest in technology Analysing data collected about a school's energy management Schools having three contract options for energy Over 27 government levies and taxes in energy products  Making sure contracts allow schools to reduce energy without penalties The commercial world having more flexibility than LEA schools Gas prices at ten year low due to lockdown Financial challenges always there for schools Grants that are available to support capital outlay Creative solutions such as renting roof space for cheaper electricity 'Educating the educators' to make savings Operating leases versus power purchase agreements Encouraging estates to reinvest back into income generating schemes Schools adding carbon management into the curriculum Pupils getting involved with carbon saving initiatives Making schools as cost effective as possible Suggest schools review their current contracts for electricity and a gas A mid market review will enable schools to negotiate mid-contract and save cash Tim's revamped due diligence package Academies can expect a 5-10% energy cost increase each year Considering the above it is key for academies and schools to act on energy consumption now Schools needing to have energy plans in place

  7. 07/09/2020

    Kevin Yardley, Director of Income Generation of The Generations Multi Academy Trust

    Tim Warneford is once again out and about now lockdown is easing –  travelling and recording with all social distancing in mind of course - to speak to Kevin Yardley at The Generations Multi Academy Trust. Kevin is director of income generation and his role is to ensure the estates facilities yield substantial revenue streams through optimising letting opportunities and via external partnerships.   On this episode we cover:   The impact of Covid 19 Being lucky that the trust is financially secure But still being hit hard Main priority being protecting customer base Kevin's background as a lawyer, criminal barrister and swimming coach! Working in the London 2012 Olympics Going as far as possible to deliver value for the client Navigating the 2008 financial crisis His son helping him get his current job Generating school income to academic vision The holistic benefits to the school and community Organisational attitude being key to raising capital Setting about a cultural change in conjunction with the teachers Bringing in a new booking system Opening the hall as a venue for large family events (including a wedding) Bringing new community groups into the school Looking at pop up restaurants and dinner clubs Hosting South African swing band nights Being part of a very inclusive decision making process Consistently recruiting and retaining outstanding teachers Upgrading to a 3G sports pitch leading to a lot of opportunities Being proud to partner with Tottenham Hotspur Being the premier site for Spurs' women and girls team The trustees demanding a very high quality of work Measuring any risk in business plans Engaging closely with County Sports Partnership and Sports England Negotiating with SFE and Dept of Education Primary purpose is always to deliver a fantastic educational service Secondary purpose is to generate income Using external consultant to support projects Upgrading to LED energy efficient units Having a CFO and Estates Manager meaning meticulous management Taking time to building and maintain relationships with customers Government funding announcements having a level of duplicity Every child needing a fair funding structure Wishing to leaving a physical legacy of improved facilities at each of the schools he works with, each school to be financially secure and increased community engagement in sport and other activities The sporting quote that drives him Delivering free school meals during the summer holidays Being confident about working their way out of the Covid crisis

  8. 03/16/2020

    Jeremy Pilgrim, School Property Matters

    For this episode Tim Warneford is in Bedfordshire to speak to Jeremy Pilgrim from School Property Matters who are independent experts in pupil capacity and have worked with over 2500 schools so far.   On this episode we cover:   Working with over 2500+ schools Staring with only LEAs then Academies then MATs The government origins of MATs Feeling academisation brought freedom and autonomy Although some of this has been reined in with MATs Pros and cons of MATs v LEAs Whether MATs are getting the right side of support Working out the pupil yield from new developments The drivers for parents selecting schools Early adopters to academies having done quite well Are MATs getting the Section 106 funding they're entitled to? Assessing what schools need to expand New buildings being attractive to parents A haemorrhage of pupils when a school is seen as failing Good schools also having to consider what expansion means The academy better having improved in terms of expansion A large percentage of trusts talking of expanding this year Risk to this growth Previous estimates of 1000 schools converting a year now reducing to 500-600 Schools now reluctant to convert LEAs could convert their education departments into MATs Disparate systems being hard to manage Section 106 allocation; there is money available that hasn't yet been invested in school stock Brexit restricting labour pool How to increase quality of homegrown talent for labour pool Money needing to be poured into growing home grown talent Capacity need to be at the forefront Why would schools maintain buildings they don't need?

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The Developing the Trust Podcast uses conversations with key people in the School's Academy Sector to join the dots and improve communication with the many different service providers in the sector. Hosted by Tim Warneford, funding expert and MD of Warneford Consulting

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