A few weeks back, we hosted the UK School Business Managers Roundtable at Gaucho, London. This was an evening designed to bring school and MAT leaders together for open conversation, shared learning, and collective problem‑solving.

From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical networking event. What followed was an evening that combined practical insights with genuine connection and the discussion resonated deeply with everyone who attended.

The atmosphere was collaborative, honest, and refreshingly forward‑looking, setting the tone for conversations that went far beyond day‑to‑day challenges.

A Conversation the Schools Truly Needed

School Business Managers and MAT leaders work in one of the most rapidly changing environments in education. The pressures around procurement, compliance, budget management, digital adoption, and operational efficiency continue to intensify.

This event created a rare space where leaders could pause, reflect, and learn from each other’s real-world experiences.

Procurement After 2025: What’s Changed for Schools?

A major theme of the evening centred on how procurement is shifting beyond 2025 and what this means for schools navigating increasingly complex requirements.

Attendees explored:

  • The growing impact of policy and regulatory changes.
  • The need for more transparent, value‑driven procurement decisions.
  • A move toward long‑term planning over short-term fixes.
  • How technology procurement is evolving as digital environments mature.

There was a clear appetite for more shared understanding and peer advice, reinforcing how important it is for schools to stay informed and connected as these changes approach.

AI in Schools: Practicality Over Hype

Artificial Intelligence is on the horizon for every sector, and education is no exception. But instead of discussing AI in abstract terms, the room focused on practical application:

  • Where AI can genuinely reduce administrative workload?
  • How automation can support (not replace) staff?
  • What groundwork schools need before adopting new tools?
  • Considerations around safeguarding and data protection.

This grounded, realistic view of AI made the session particularly valuable: attendees appreciated the focus on actionable steps rather than speculation.

Digital Infrastructure: A Foundation for Everything Else

Modern, secure, and scalable digital infrastructure continues to be at the heart of school operations.

Throughout the evening, several conversations highlighted HPE’s expertise and perspective, particularly around:

  • Building reliable long‑term digital environments.
  • Supporting sustainable infrastructure decisions.
  • Ensuring networks can evolve to meet future school needs.

We were also joined by an expert from HPE, who played a key role in the discussion. Their presence allowed attendees to ask in‑depth questions about digital infrastructure, explore real‑world scenarios, and gain clarity on how to make sustainable, future‑ready technology decisions.

Shared Experiences: The Most Valuable Element of the Night

While the topics were important, what truly brought the evening to life was the openness between attendees.

Themes such as procurement cycles, digital transformation, legacy systems, staff workloads, and planning for the future revealed clear shared challenges, but also shared determination.

It reinforced a powerful truth that school and MAT leaders benefit from connecting with each other.

A Voice from the Room: Testimonial from Sarfraz Akram

What did you enjoy most about the evening?

“The dynamic mix of like‑minded school leaders along with experienced industry experts was an incredible coming together of broad perspectives and experiences — kindled with the passion to collaborate and learn from each other.”

What was your biggest takeaway or learning from the evening?

“I was enthused with the discussions around AI, delving into the real‑life scenarios of colleagues. This was an eye‑opener into how widely and intrinsically AI is being used to not only automate but proactively build on learning programmes. The guidance from experts was enlightening.”

What advice would you give to someone considering attending a future EE roundtable?

“I would wholeheartedly encourage colleagues to attend future events. The learning, in a safe, professional environment, is one not to be missed.”

This feedback reflected the sentiment shared by many across the room, that the event offered genuine value, honest dialogue, and practical insight.

What’s Next?

The response to the roundtable makes one thing clear: leaders want more opportunities to collaborate and prepare for what’s ahead.

We’re already planning future sessions and exploring ways to bring more SBMs and MAT teams into these conversations.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and to supporting the ongoing evolution of school business management across the UK.

Register your interest:

Register Interest

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Have a question for us? Ask away, and be sure to include your job title below.
Consent(Required)