ISBL Specialist Symposium

Estates Management Webinar  

ISBL Estates Management Symposium From national strategy to practical action. What does the DfE’s ten-year Education Estates Strategy mean for your school or trust?

Build your understanding of the changing estates landscape and identify practical steps towards a safer, more suitable, sustainable and sufficiently sized estate. Join ISBL for a focused online symposium exploring how school business professionals can strengthen estate management, use data to inform investment and connect estates planning with educational priorities. Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 10:00am–12:20pm | Online ISBL members: £80 + VAT | Non-members: £97 + VAT

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Make confident decisions about your estate. From maintaining safe buildings to adapting space for SEND provision, estates decisions influence your organisation’s finances, resilience and ability to deliver effective education.

The DfE’s ten-year Education Estates Strategy places greater emphasis on reliable condition data, proactive maintenance and long-term investment planning. But what does this mean for your responsibilities and where should you focus first? This symposium brings together specialist insight and practical discussion to help you understand the national direction, assess your organisation’s readiness and prioritise your next steps.Whether you manage one school or multiple sites, gain clearer priorities for the estate you oversee.

Meet the speakers

  • Rob Gould

    Partner Barker Associates

    Read bio, Rob Gould

    Robert is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Partner at Barker heading up their education sector. He works with Academies, Trusts, Colleges and Universities to deliver capital projects and surveying services including condition surveying and estate planning. He also assists education clients in applying for capital funding and advises on energy efficiency strategies. rgould@barker-associates.co.uk Robert Gould | LinkedIn

    Sessions

  • Matt Isherwood

    Associate Partner Barker Associates

    Read bio, Matt Isherwood

    Matt brings extensive experience from 14 years as Director of Estates at a national Multi-Academy Trust combined with his consultancy role at Barker since 2023. A longstanding and vocal advocate for taking a strategic approach to effective estates management and harnessing data to inform decision making; helping align estates management with long-term organisational priorities and educational outcomes. Matt has developed a reputation as one of the sector’s leading voices on effective and future-focused estate leadership.Matt advises leading education clients on development of their Estate Vision and Strategy, Climate Action Plans, and Capital Investment Planning. Through his work with national bodies such as ISBL, CST and ASCL, he continues to promote best practice and build capability across the sector.misherwood@barker-associates.co.uk Matt Isherwood | LinkedIn

    Sessions

  • Adam Dunn

    Senior Building Surveyor Barker Associates

    Read bio, Adam Dunn

    With extensive experience in the education sector, Adam specialises in compliance and risk management for education estates. He provides advice on statutory compliance, condition assessments, and asset management, helping organisations create safe, sustainable, and high-performing learning environments. His expertise in identifying and mitigating estate-related risks enables clients to make informed decisions and maintain confidence in the long-term resilience and compliance of their property portfolios.adunn@barker-associates.co.ukAdam Dunn | LinkedIn

    Sessions

  • Richard Paynter

    Partner & Head of Design Barker Associates

    Read bio, Richard Paynter

    Richard is a Chartered Architect and certified Project Manager. He has over 35 years' experience delivering projects across the public and private sectors. He spent the first 17 years of his career at Staffordshire County Council supporting and leading the delivery of the LEA capital programmes, with specific experience in Early Years and SEND provision. Extensive stakeholder engagement has underpinned the development of robust project briefs and the provision of creative environments focused on supporting positive learning outcomes. Richard has consistently driven sustainable design and efficient project delivery. Key innovations include the design and delivery of Chasewater Innovation Centre, the Authority’s flagship sustainability project and leading the development and implementation of Staffordshire County Council’s first strategic construction partnerships. rpaynter@barker-associates.co.ukRichard Paynter | LinkedIn

    Sessions

  • Zainab Mohammed

    Project Manager - - Energy & Sustainability Barker Associates

    Read bio, Zainab Mohammed

    Zainab brings over 5 years of experience in sustainable housing development research and now leads the end-to-end delivery of decarbonisation projects across public sector estates, supporting the UK’s net zero agenda. She works closely with clients, internal teams, consultants, contractors, and key stakeholders to co-ordinate project delivery, and manage on-site execution. As part of the GB Energy Solar Partnership delivery team, Zainab has successfully managed and delivered a number of high-profile programmes.zainabmohammed@barker-associates.co.ukZainab Mohammed | LinkedIn

    Sessions

Testimonials

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