Stephen Lester

Planning for growth or a change in statusDue diligenceSystem integration and rationalisationStrategic financial planningDeveloping central teamsStrategic HRChange managementResponding to regulatory requirementsManaging estates and sustainabilityCFO mentoringAcademy Trust Handbook complianceInternal scrutiny; audit; and assuranceRecruitment; retention; and performance management
Written By Liam Walker

CAREER OVERVIEW

An experienced and effective school business leader in both maintained and academy trusts, prior to retirement as COO of a multi academy trust. Following an earlier career in the food and agriculture sector with roles in technical, operational, supply chain, general management and managing director.

CIMA qualified accountant, BSc (Hons), ADSBM and Diploma in Strategic Financial and Operational Leadership

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Academy conversion, MAT establishment and growth

  • Accredited DfE School Resource Management Adviser

  • SRMA Accreditation Lead – support and assessment for new SRMAs

  • CFO mentor through DfE pilot programme and also directly with trusts

  • Member of ESFA Academies and Financial Assurance Steering Group and past chair of Working Group 1 which leads on the annual review of the ATH

  • Appointed an MBE for services to education

  • ISBL Fellow and Chair of Trustees

  • Involvement in leading Regional School Business Management groups in Gloucestershire and Cumbria

  • Governor and Trustee roles totalling 20 years’ service

ABLE TO ADVISE ON

  • Planning for growth or a change in status (i.e. maintained to academy, SAT to MAT, small MAT to larger MAT)

  • Due diligence

  • System integration and rationalisation

  • Strategic financial planning

  • Developing central teams

  • Strategic HR, e.g. people development, organisational design, legal considerations

  • Recruitment, retention and performance management

  • Change management

  • Responding to regulatory requirements

  • Managing estates and sustainability

  • Internal audit and assurance

  • CFO mentoring

  • ATH compliance

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I believe in cooperative, collaborative leadership and team working to deliver outstanding outcomes, team and individual development. I believe that sharing and development of knowledge is key to allowing individuals and organisations to achieve their best. I get tremendous satisfaction from seeing people develop in their skills, self-confidence and performance.

If you would like to request consultancy support via this consultant, then please click here to request your initial free consultation.

Liam Walker
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