A practical day to connect, contribute and move forward.

• Date - Wednesday 21st October 2026
• Time - 9am to 3pm
• Location - The Elementary Technology Experience Centre, Leeds LS19 7ZA
• This is a free event, with lunch and refreshments provided, so register soon to reserve your place

School business and operational leaders are responsible for some of the most complex and important areas of school life.

You are expected to manage risk, compliance, technology, estates, resources, people and constant operational demands, often while moving rapidly between immediate problems and longer-term priorities.

But how often do you have the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, meet colleagues who understand the reality of your role and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead?

On Wednesday 21st October, SBM UK will bring school business and operational leaders together for a practical, engaging and collaborative event, hosted by Elementary Technology in their Experience Centre in Leeds, right next to the airport. Organised and chaired by Lucy North, SBM UK Regional Lead for Yorkshire and Humber, the event has been designed around the issues that matter to those leading school business and operations right now, allowing you to have enough time to step back, connect with others and think strategically about what comes next.

What we will explore

• Developments in digital technology and what they mean for schools
• Moving strategic risk management beyond the risk register
• Estates management, operational readiness and assurance
• Martyn’s Law and the practical implications for schools
• The aspirations, challenges and recurring issues affecting school business and operational leaders

Bring the reality of your role into the room

This event is not intended to be a day of passive presentations.

During an interactive workshop, you will be invited to bring your own aspirations, pressures, challenges and ideas into the conversation. Together, we will reflect on what is happening across our schools, learn from shared experience and identify practical ways forward.

You do not need to arrive with all the answers. Come prepared to contribute honestly, listen to others and explore what could make a meaningful difference in your school and in your own role. This is a free event, with lunch and refreshments provided, so register soon to reserve your place.

Why attend?

This is your opportunity to:

• Step away from immediate operational demands and make space for strategic thinking
• Explore current and emerging responsibilities affecting schools
• Learn from practical training and the experience of other leaders
• Discuss challenges with people who understand the complexity of your role
• Build valuable relationships with colleagues across the region
• Return to school with clearer thinking, useful insights and practical next steps
• Help shape the future support and professional community available to school business and operational leaders

This event is for you if…

You are a school business manager, business leader, operations leader, finance or resources leader, estates lead, trust business professional or someone with significant responsibility for school operations.

Whether you work in a maintained school, academy, multi-academy trust or another education setting, you will be warmly welcomed.

More than an event

We want the 21st October to be the beginning of something valuable: stronger professional connections, more opportunities to share knowledge and a supportive regional community in which school business and operational leaders can continue to learn and grow together.

Your experience matters. Your challenges deserve to be heard. And you should not have to lead through them alone.

Join us on 21st October and be part of the conversation.

Step away from the day-to-day. Join the conversation. Help shape what school business leadership needs next.