AGBIS/HMC/ISBA Heads, Governors and Bursars’ Conference - Wednesday 12 November 2025 (BMA House, London)

09.00 -10.00

Registration and refreshments

The Lutyens Suite

10.00 – 10.05

Welcome and opening remarks

Speakers: Julie Robinson - CEO, ISC

The Great Hall

10.05 – 10.35

Plenary 1: Adopting A Commercial Mindset

Speaker: Amit Mehta – Founder and CEO, Inspired Learning Group

The Great Hall

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

The Great Hall

11.20 – 11.50

Refreshment break among the exhibitors

The Lutyens Suite

11.50 – 12.40

Workshop Sessions (Block A)

1.    Restructures and Redundancy Programmes

Speaker: Krissy Scott – Partner, HCR Law

Room: Council Chamber

2.    TPS and Pension Changes

Speakers: Oliver Daniels – Partner, HCR Law and Rachel Parkin- Partner, HCR Law

Room: Worcester Room

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

Chair: Julie Robinson - CEO, ISC

Room: Great Hall

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

Room: Murrell Room

5.    International Opportunities

Speaker: Leigh Webb - CEO, ISC Research

Room: Anderson Room

12.40 – 13.30

Lunch

The Lutyens Suite

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

Room: Great Hall

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

Speaker: Tim Toulmin – Managing Director, Alder and Jack Myers - Senior Account Director, Alder

Room: Anderson Room

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

Speaker: Mark Steed – Consultant and Director, Steed Education

Room: Worcester Room

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; and Heather Styche-Patel – CEO, RSAcademics

Room: Council Chamber

5.    Sustainable leadership in tough times; top tips for how to get the best out of your staff, senior team and yourself

Speaker: George Hartley – Head, The Kings School Chester

Room: Murrell Room

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; and Adrian Bowcher – CFO, The Dean Close Foundation

Chair: Duncan Murphy – CSO, MTM Consulting

Great Hall

15.25 – 15.50

Refreshment break among the exhibitors

The Lutyens Suite

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; and Catherine Sunley – Chair of Governors, Barnard Castle School

Chair: Jo Beckett – Founder and Director, Jo Beckett Coaching and Development

Great Hall

16.25 – 16.40

Closing remarks and depart

Speakers: Richard Harman, CEO AGBIS; Simon Hyde, CEO, HMC; and David Woodgate, CEO, ISBA