Estates, building and engineering sectors

learn more about the role of a non-executive director/ chair | learn what makes a good multi-academy trust

Improving the life-chances of young people and skills of school leavers is critical to the UK’s social and economic success. The academies programme is at the forefront of change. Education leaders, however, cannot transform standards alone. The skills and experience of business leaders - and particularly individuals with buildings, engineering, property and estate management expertise - are needed to help these trusts and their pupils succeed.​

Resources for employers›learn more about the role of a non-executive director/ chair
Resources for non-executive directors›learn what makes a good multi-academy trust

The rapid growth in the number of academies - from 200 to almost 7,000 in seven years – is impressive but brings challenges for the boards leading change. There is now exceptional demand from academy trusts for business leaders to join their new corporate boards.

Why buildings, engineering, property and estates?

At a time of rapid growth, property and estate management skill sets are sought after. The multi-site nature of multi-academy trusts, some with up to 60 schools, requires a strategic understanding of building and capital development, facilities management, large scale asset portfolio management and change programmes at board level.

Engineers bring particular skills and are valued for their independence of mind and objective approach to decision-making as are property development, architects and chartered surveyors.

What is the typical work of the board at an academy trust?

Multi-academy trusts boards face the same challenges as any business board: to define a compelling vision and strategy; to operate within financial constraints and to create an effective governance structure. The role is a corporate one: taking decisions and holding accountability together as a board, with the prime focus on raising standards.

The challenges more specific to a sector that Academy Ambassadors have reported include:

  • strategic planning for a large mixed estate – include new-build schools and refurbishment;
  • planning for new housing developments and shifts in demographics such as rebasing of military families; and
  • review of commercial opportunities and land use.

What are the benefits and rewards?

The roles are unpaid but deeply rewarding. For anyone who has ever wanted to ‘make a difference’ there is an opportunity to have influence and impact. As a board member your authority is backed by the devolved funding, accountability and control inherent within the academies organisational structure.

The roles bring breadth and intellectual challenge for those developing their own leadership competencies and board profile.

School leaver skills features at the top of the agenda for both the trusts and for regional business leaders. There is no more important work than improving the life chances of young people, particularly those from the most deprived backgrounds.

Next steps:

If this is of interest register with Academy Ambassadors which has introduced over 950 business people and professionals to trust boards across England.

Alumni include Heads of Capital programmes from the public and private sectors, Head of Estates at an NHS Foundation Trust, Partners in architecture and property law firms, London property developers and major capital and infrastructure programme consultants. Other organisations already involved include BT, HSBC, PwC, Slaughter & May, Lloyds Banking Group and Rolls Royce.

A one-to-one support from a senior board-level adviser is provided to match you to the right role in the right location. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7952 8556.

 

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