MAT Chat

Laura Williams

Where we talk about the people, the pressures and the possibilities of Multi-Academy Trust leadership.

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  1. Episode 1

    007 - Autonomy Versus Centralisation with Sharron Philpot

    In this episode I’m joined by Sharron Philpot, CEO of Victoria Academies Trust, to explore one of the most live questions in trust leadership: autonomy versus centralisation. We dig into how roles, responsibilities and decision-making have been reshaped over time, what has needed to sit at trust level and where schools have been given space to lead and how those choices have played out in practice. Drawing on real examples from across the trust, Sharron shares what has worked, what has been harder than expected and how culture, clarity and consistency have underpinned the journey. ▶️ This episode at a glance: [2:10] – Sharron introduces her trust and what makes it special to her [4:25] – Her journey into the CEO role and the value of growing within one trust [6:32] – How the trust approached needed change through reflection and collaboration [11:19] – Tackling diluted accountability and building frameworks to strengthen organisational identity [13:31] – Revisiting vision, mission and values and embedding them into schools [17:39] – How these principles shaped decisions on autonomy and centralisation [21:55] – What these decisions have meant for the central team, capacity building and succession planning [27:04] – The evidence that this model is working and how it continues to evolve [32:28] – Redesigning the Scheme of Delegation to support the new operating model and clarify decision-making [35:35] – How governance works from board to local academy councils and the role they play [41:30] – Protecting culture through growth and change [44:47] – Sharron’s key do’s and don’ts on autonomy and centralisation 📚 Related Content: Contact Sharron via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharron-philpot-ba894197/ 🎙️ Be a part of MAT Chat: Want to be a guest? Click here! https://ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk/podcast-guest-application/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a colleague, or leave a quick rating so more leaders can find it. 🎧 Subscribe: If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 📩 Get in touch: This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services. ⭐️ Laura's website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk ⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/

    49 min

  2. Episode 2

    008 - Beyond Compliance: The Role of Trustees with Maggie Farrar CBE

    In this episode I’m joined by Maggie Farrar to explore what really sits underneath effective governance in Multi-Academy Trusts. Rather than focusing on policies, structures or compliance frameworks, we step back and look at the human side of boards – how trustees think, listen and work together when the decisions are complex and the stakes are high. We talk about curiosity, judgement and relationships, and why the tone set by chairs and trustees can shape the quality of governance more than any document ever could. Drawing on Maggie’s experience as a trustee, former national education leader and leadership development specialist, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how boards function in practice and what makes governance genuinely effective. ▶️ This episode at a glance: [1:56] – Maggie shares what she believes sits at the heart of the trustee role [4:07] – The risk of slipping into a compliance mindset and why curiosity matters more [7:55] – Why Maggie believes one of the most important trustee skills is “hoovering” [9:26] – Building strong relationships between trustees and executive leaders [13:33] – The critical role of the chair and what good chairing looks like in practice [16:36] – How effective chairs build individual relationships and address concerns early [20:10] – Why the mechanics of meetings matter – from papers and minutes to structure and timing [26:17] – How committees can work most effectively within a trust board [28:52] – Avoiding operational drift and where trustees add the most value [33:06] – What Maggie believes the next evolution of the system will require from trustees [35:08] – What system leadership needs in order to grow and become embedded [37:17] – The challenge of recruiting trustees and thinking ahead about succession [41:29] – Maggie’s top three priorities for MAT boards right now 📚 Related Content: Contact Maggie via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-farrar-83071978/ 🎙️Be a part of MAT Chat: Want to be a guest? Click here! https://ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk/podcast-guest-application/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a colleague or leave a quick rating so more leaders can find it. 🎧 Subscribe: If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 📩 Get in touch: This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services. ⭐️ Laura’s website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk ⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/

    45 min

  3. Episode 3

    009 - Two New Schools, Built from the Ground Up with Sam Compton and Laura Austen

    In this episode I’m joined by Sam Compton, CEO of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, and Laura Austen, the trust’s Chief Operating Officer, to explore what it really takes to open new schools in brand new communities. We dig into how these projects moved from empty sites to fully functioning schools, how identity and belonging were built from the outset, and how decisions were made around design, partnerships and delivery along the way. Drawing on their experience of opening Beacon Fields and Burley Fields, Sam and Laura share what worked, what they learned the hard way and how collaboration, planning and community engagement shaped the journey from start to finish. ▶️ This episode at a glance: [2:21] – Sam and Laura introduce their trust and the journey to opening two new schools in Stafford [4:22] – Creating two distinct school identities within one trust [7:14] – Working with local stakeholders and why their role was critical to success [9:26] – Building a sense of belonging from day one and the thinking behind it [16:18] – Collaborating with builders and partners to bring the vision to life [20:47] – Managing major projects alongside day-to-day trust operations and the role of a strong project plan [24:19] – What didn’t go quite to plan and what others should watch out for [28:25] – Sam shares the Headteacher perspective, from pre-opening through to life after day one [31:31] – Standout moments from the journey and what it has meant to them both 📚 Related Content: Contact Sam via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-compton-92a1a935b/ Contact Laura via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-austen-a136a/ 🎙️Be a part of MAT Chat: Want to be a guest? Click here! https://ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk/podcast-guest-application/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a colleague or leave a quick rating so more leaders can find it. 🎧 Subscribe: If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 📩 Get in touch: This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services. ⭐️ Laura’s website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk ⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/

    37 min

  4. Episode 4

    010 - Why Rebrokering Is Not A Taboo with Zoe Heath

    In this episode, Zoe Heath, Chief of Operations at St Chad's Academies Trust, talks openly about what it's really like when a school moves on – the practical unravelling, the strategic rethink and what it takes to hold up the mirror and ask what you can learn. If you're navigating rebrokering from any angle, or if you're just curious about the side of the story that rarely gets told, this one's for you. ▶️ This episode at a glance: [1:54] – Zoe explains why this is an important conversation for the sector [5:24] – How her trust came to rebroker a school to another trust [9:11] – Reflecting on why it didn’t work and the role of due diligence [13:11] – The impact on people and what it feels like for the trust that remains [19:40] – The timeline, logistics and operational realities of rebrokering [24:07] – Managing the aftermath and finding new ways to collaborate [32:33] – Zoe’s top tips for MATs facing a similar situation 📚 Related Content: Contact Zoe via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-heath-7396b9131/ 🎙️Be a part of MAT Chat: Want to be a guest? Click here! https://ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk/podcast-guest-application/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a colleague or leave a quick rating so more leaders can find it. 🎧 Subscribe: If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 📩 Get in touch: This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services. ⭐️ Laura’s website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk ⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/

    35 min

  5. Episode 5

    011 - Sustainability in MATs: A Practical Starting Point with Helen Burge

    In this episode I'm joined by Helen Burge to explore sustainability and climate change from a board and executive team perspective. We talk about where this agenda actually belongs, how to turn climate pressures into practical priorities and why it doesn't have to mean overwhelming schools or creating extra workload. Drawing on Helen's experience as a trustee, consultant and co-chair of the UK Schools Sustainability Network Operations Group, this conversation offers a clear starting point for MATs wondering how to make sustainability feel manageable rather than impossible. ▶️ This episode at a glance:: [02:19] – Why sustainability belongs with boards and executive teams, not just schools [04:58] – How MATs can enable schools through sustainability leads and climate action plans [08:50] – Embedding sustainability into procurement and supplier relationships [10:55] – What a climate action plan actually is and how simple it can be [15:51] – The moral case for prioritising sustainability in education [20:54] – Free networks, resources and support available right now [22:36] – First steps for boards: risk registers, data and estate strategy 📚 Related Content: Contact Helen via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-burge-04a29a100/ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-uk-climate-change-risk-on-the-delivery-of-education https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-estate-management-standards https://www.sustainabilitysupportforeducation.org.uk/ https://climateambassadors.org.uk/ https://letsgozero.org/ https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/ https://www.isbl.org.uk/sustainability-standards https://www.nga.org.uk/news-views/directory/greener-governance-campaign https://www.countyourcarbon.org/ Energy Sparks https://greenerschoolsindex.co.uk/about/ 🎙️Be a part of MAT Chat: Want to be a guest? Click here! https://ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk/podcast-guest-application/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a colleague or leave a quick rating so more leaders can find it. 🎧 Subscribe: If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 📩 Get in touch: This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services. ⭐️ Laura’s website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk ⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/

    28 min

  6. Episode 6

    012 - The Challenges Facing MATs Today with Michael Unsworth

    In this episode I'm joined by Michael Unsworth, Chief Operating Officer at Kingfisher Learning Trust, for a conversation about the challenges facing MATs today. What does it mean for a trust to truly evolve? How do you grow with purpose rather than chasing numbers? What strategies can we use to improve recruitment and retention? How do you tackle global challenges like AI and sustainability when you're already stretched? And as the sector matures, what's actually coming next? Michael talks candidly about navigating constant change from the operations seat and where he thinks the future of MATs lies. ▶️ This episode at a glance: [01:57] – What it means to be a 'mixed MAT' and the challenge of maintaining trust identity [11:22] – How the trust approaches growth and views it from a wider sector perspective [17:07] – Building and maintaining capacity in the face of recruitment and retention struggles [30:07] – The different flavours of challenge: AI and sustainability versus estates and cyber security [43:01] – Where Michael thinks the future of MATs is heading 📚 Related Content: Contact Michael via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-unsworthklt/ 🎙️Be a part of MAT Chat: Want to be a guest? Click here! https://ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk/podcast-guest-application/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a colleague or leave a quick rating so more leaders can find it. 🎧 Subscribe: If you haven’t already, make sure you hit subscribe in your podcast player so you don’t miss out on future episodes! 📩 Get in touch: This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services. ⭐️ Laura’s website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk ⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/

    50 min
See All Season 2 (6)

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About

Where we talk about the people, the pressures and the possibilities of Multi-Academy Trust leadership.

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  • Creator
    Laura Williams
  • Episodes
    13
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Laura Williams
  • Show Website
    MAT Chat