---
title: ISBL Specialist Symposium -11.11.26 - Estates - Landing Page
image: https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/1e508838cda5bf7df3d244c5c8e88382dce66fdc-4000x2660.webp
---
[](https://www.isbl.org.uk)
ISBL Specialist Symposium
OpEx Insights Day
[](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIuwM%2BoG7k0w%2BYMFWeBslLuvBDXQLOw2oKI3c%2FUPm7YkU51TBUBpA4fKJncz39SnCCz2tKZMJqBRyREd2Z%2FVQ2L5eir6TBdOmGnGCeqxTAQ4er8kBXYaNhMNA0TFGJJ9zLMW%2BhAHBRpYG7FAu1IYRV%2FvLqqfYNG8ySvHIi4SiPq%2FYzUZar0%2BwoURmpSt%2BcmKyPKRoRcF%2BtbtvVEzLTPesDPMbIelMtdiB7HRKT9gTmcM6%2BVqWX4WCGnD6K2trTinAgIxEvXWD2LLNz03ZH8pGg2&webInteractiveContentId=223797368996&portalId=20333450&hsLang=en)
### ISBL Symposium OpEx insights: From insight to impact Strengthen your organisation through Operational Excellence
Join ISBL for the Specialist Symposium – OpEx Insights, a focused in-person event for CEOs, headteachers, school business professionals and operational leaders.Effective operations create the capacity for educational leaders to focus on what matters most: improving outcomes for children and young people.
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Location: Institute of Structural Engineers, 47-58 Bastwick Street, London
**ISBL Member Ticket -** £180 + VAT
**Non-Member Ticket -** £230 + VAT
[View Programme](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en)
[](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIuwM%2BoG7k0w%2BYMFWeBslLuvBDXQLOw2oKI3c%2FUPm7YkU51TBUBpA4fKJncz39SnCCz2tKZMJqBRyREd2Z%2FVQ2L5eir6TBdOmGnGCeqxTAQ4er8kBXYaNhMNA0TFGJJ9zLMW%2BhAHBRpYG7FAu1IYRV%2FvLqqfYNG8ySvHIi4SiPq%2FYzUZar0%2BwoURmpSt%2BcmKyPKRoRcF%2BtbtvVEzLTPesDPMbIelMtdiB7HRKT9gTmcM6%2BVqWX4WCGnD6K2trTinAgIxEvXWD2LLNz03ZH8pGg2&webInteractiveContentId=223797368996&portalId=20333450&hsLang=en)
[](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIuwM%2BoG7k0w%2BYMFWeBslLuvBDXQLOw2oKI3c%2FUPm7YkU51TBUBpA4fKJncz39SnCCz2tKZMJqBRyREd2Z%2FVQ2L5eir6TBdOmGnGCeqxTAQ4er8kBXYaNhMNA0TFGJJ9zLMW%2BhAHBRpYG7FAu1IYRV%2FvLqqfYNG8ySvHIi4SiPq%2FYzUZar0%2BwoURmpSt%2BcmKyPKRoRcF%2BtbtvVEzLTPesDPMbIelMtdiB7HRKT9gTmcM6%2BVqWX4WCGnD6K2trTinAgIxEvXWD2LLNz03ZH8pGg2&webInteractiveContentId=223797368996&portalId=20333450&hsLang=en)
This practical, in-person event brings together CEOs, headteachers, school business professionals and operational leaders to explore how Operational Excellence or OpEx can help schools and trusts make better use of their people, systems, data and resources.
Whether you are new to OpEx, have previously completed the programme or are considering the next stage of your professional development, the event will provide an opportunity to reconnect with the framework, learn from experienced practitioners and turn insight into meaningful action.
Through keynote presentations, practical case studies, facilitated roundtables and peer discussion, you will explore what effective operational leadership looks like and how OpEx can support sustainable improvement across your organisation.
## Why attend?
This one-day symposium will support delegates to:
- Understand why Operational Excellence matters in the current education landscape.
- Discover how the OpEx framework can help diagnose operational challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Explore approaches to develoing effective school and trust operating models.
- Hear how schools and trusts are applying OpEx principles in practice.
- Examine the impact and key insights from the OpEx research and programme.
- Learn how stronger culture, productivity, people practices, systems and data can create additional organisational capacity.
- Share experiences and challenges with peers through facilitated roundtable discussions.
- Develop a practical OpEx action plan to take back to your school or trust.
- Explore the next stage of OpEx accredited learning and the support available from ISBL
## Meet the speakers
- .jfif)
### Lee Herridge
Director of Professional Development and Sector Engagement Institute of School Business Leadership
Sessions
- [Welcome and event introduction (opens in a new tab)](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
- [OpEx Insights and impacts](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
- [From Insight to Action: Building your OpEx Development Plan (opens in a new tab)](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
- 
### Rebecca Beaver
Resource and Business Management Adviser and and Vice Chair of Affinity Learning Partnership RBMA Consultancy
Read bio, Rebecca Beaver
Rebecca is a resource and business management consultant at RBMA and Vice Chair of Affinity Learning Partnership. An accredited SRMA since 2019, Rebecca is a member of the SRMA accreditation panel. Her recent work includes contributing to the ISBL operational excellence report and framework. Rebecca supports the education sector independently and through her work as an associate consultant and fellow of ISBL. A proud recipient of the ISBL CEO award for exceptional contribution to school business leadership in 2023 and governor of an 'outstanding in all areas' primary school, Rebecca is passionate about making a positive difference to those who are disadvantaged. She supports the delivery of the DSBM as an associate assessor for Best Practice Network and has written the DfE-funded strategic planning and operational leadership local support offer training, which she delivers on behalf of ISBL. Rebecca uses her extensive experience to support LAs, schools, academies, SATs, and MATs in managing resources to achieve positive educational outcomes. She has reviewed budgets of £70m+ for trusts, led change for effective and efficient business operations, produced and delivered successful business plans, and project managed extended nursery provision in the primary sector and extended sixth-form provision in the secondary sector
Sessions
- [Strategic OpEx: Why Operational Excellence Matters Now (opens in a new tab)](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
- [From Insight to Action: Building your OpEx Development Plan (opens in a new tab)](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
- 
### Lucy Jones
Head of Growth & Engagement Centre for Education Operational Excellence
Sessions
- [Understanding Your Organisation: Using the OpEx Diagnostic Tool (opens in a new tab)](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
- 
### Tricia Slater
Chief Operating Officer Empower MAT
Read bio, Tricia Slater
Tricia Slater is Chief Operating Officer at Empower Multi Academy Trust and a DfE-accredited School Resource Management Adviser (SRMA). With more than 20 years' leadership experience across education and the public sector, she has oversight of finance, estates, compliance, procurement, people services, sustainability and digital transformation across a multi-academy trust. Beginning her career in education as a School Business Manager, Tricia has developed extensive expertise in operational leadership, organisational improvement and financial sustainability. She is passionate about operational excellence and helping schools and trusts maximise resources, strengthen resilience and create efficient systems that enable educators to focus on improving outcomes for children and young people. Alongside her executive role, Tricia supports schools nationally through her work as an SRMA, providing strategic advice on resource management, value for money and long-term sustainability. She is particularly interested in innovation, continuous improvement and the practical application of technology and digital solutions to drive organisational effectiveness.Tricia holds a Level 5 ILM Diploma in School Business Management, a Level 7 CIPFA Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership and a Certificate in Financial Reporting for Academies. She has also achieved the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Foundation Certificate and is accredited as a Strategic Lead in Operational Excellence (OpEx) for Education through ISBL.
Sessions
- [Practitioner Roundtables: New Learning and Real-World Application](https://info.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Symposium/2026%20-%20Sym/OpEx%20Insights/Opex%20Insights%20Programme%2026.pdf?hsLang=en) Dec 4, 2026, 10:00:00 AM UTCLive nowEnded
### Testimonials
.png?width=450&height=450&name=Template%20Symposium%20Testimonial%20%20%20(1).png "Template Symposium Testimonial (1)")
Copyright © 2026 Institute of School Business Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "VideoObject",
"caption" : {
"@type" : "MediaObject",
"contentUrl" : "https://info.isbl.org.uk/media-transcripts/223747949195/en.vtt",
"inLanguage" : "en",
"name" : "en Captions"
},
"contentUrl" : "https://20333450.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20333450/video_assets/223747949195/inherited/web_optimized.mp4",
"dateModified" : "2026-10-06T14:55:08.268Z",
"duration" : "PT24S",
"height" : 350,
"name" : "Template -Video Testimonial (350 x 350 px)",
"thumbnailUrl" : "https://20333450.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20333450/Template%20-Video%20Testimonial%20(350%20x%20350%20px).mp4/medium.jpg",
"uploadDate" : "2026-10-06T14:55:00.716Z",
"width" : 350
}
```