In this episode of the ISBA Bursar Conversations, host Nigel Ward welcomes Peter Sircar, Director of Finance & Resources at Hammersmith Academy to unpack lessons learned from decades in international school business management covering growth, strategy, and the future of multi academy trusts. Peter Sircar shares his journey from law to becoming a leader in school business management. He reflects on his experiences across various educational institutions, including overseeing the growth of a large school network and modernizing systems at a prestigious grammar school.

Peter highlights his strategic approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning, technology integration, and a people-first mindset. He discusses how his background in law, finance, and IT shaped his role and offers advice for those entering the field of educational business management, stressing resilience, passion, and the need for strategic thinking.

Key Takeaways:

- From Law to Education

Peter shares his early career ambitions to be a human rights lawyer, but a change in circumstances led him to focus on education and school business management.

- Lessons from the Largest School Network

His work at a large school network, where he helped grow the organization from a few to 100 schools, taught him valuable lessons about school management, HR, payroll, and project management.

- Building and Automating Systems

Peter combined his legal and finance background to automate processes in education, streamlining operations and introducing new technology.

- Leadership in Crisis and Growth

Reflecting on his career, Peter highlights his approach to leadership, including managing rapid growth, navigating the death of his father, and balancing work and personal life.

- People-Centric Leadership

Peter shares a powerful story about improving staff morale and ownership by acknowledging and respecting cleaning staff, showing the importance of appreciation in leadership.

- The Role of Strategic Planning

Peter discusses how strategic thinking in education management is key. From facilities management to staff development, he stresses the importance of planning for both short- and long-term goals.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] - Teaser

[00:00:58] - Introduction and Peter’s educational background

[00:02:11] - Experience at a large school network: growth and challenges

[00:06:59] - Balancing personal and professional life

[00:09:53] - Leadership lessons and project management in education

[00:17:19] - The tension between institutional legacy and business realities

[00:23:06] - Peter’s passion for education and the drive to become a bursar

[00:25:56] - Advice for transitioning into educational business management

[00:27:58] - The importance of outsourcing and streamlining operations

[00:34:13] - Managing maintenance, grounds, and in-house teams

[00:39:24] - Commercializing school assets and developing new income streams

[00:44:42] - Innovations under financial pressure and sustainability models

[00:50:55] - The future of school business managers and strategic leadership

[00:54:02] - Conclusion

Connect Our Guest on:

Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/petersircar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.sircar/

Connect with Nigel Ward on:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nigel-ward-author-of-using-less-stuff-88684a25

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In this episode of the ISBA Bursar Conversations, Owen Adams, Bursar at Bradfield College, shares his journey from a 30+ year military career to a strategic leadership role in education. From his time in the Royal Artillery and elite units like the Paras and Commandos to his role as Pro-Vice Chancellor at Durham University, Owen discusses how leadership, adaptability, and operational planning have prepared him to navigate the evolving challenges in independent schools.

From managing crises like COVID-19 to spearheading innovations like immersive VR learning and commercializing school assets, Owen brings a unique perspective on the business of education, cultural integration, and the future of the independent school sector.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✅ Military Experience Builds Transferable Leadership

Owen emphasizes that Army training, particularly around coordination, influence, and integration, lays a strong foundation for leadership roles in schools, especially when managing complex communities and resources.

✅ Understanding the Tension Between Tradition and Commercial Viability

Schools must balance preserving legacy and values with the need to generate surplus and adopt business-like operations. Owen highlights how this friction is managed daily within leadership roles.

✅ COVID-19 Response as a Test of Coordination and Resilience

Bradfield College’s early pivot to digital learning and its comprehensive COVID strategy illustrate how institutional agility and strong teams can overcome crisis.

✅ From Soft Assets to Innovation Hubs

Owen argues that schools should think beyond physical facilities and consider monetizing “soft assets” such as internal skills, digital platforms, and IP, like their internally developed VR learning platform.

✅ The Future: Consolidation, Fragmentation, and Hybrid Education

With falling demographics and rising costs, Owen foresees fewer, more consolidated schools and more diverse, hybrid education models. Schools must evolve with tech, rethink pricing, and explore partnerships to stay relevant.

⏱️ Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – The importance of surplus and business-mindedness in independent schools

[00:00:43] – Owen’s transition from military to education sector

[00:02:17] – Leading student life and services at Durham University

[00:04:19] – Growing up in Australia and joining the British Army

[00:07:02] – Military operations and the value of collaboration

[00:10:19] – Translating Army coordination to school leadership

[00:14:00] – Institutional friction vs. business realities

[00:21:49] – Bradfield’s COVID response and digital transformation

[00:24:10] – Passion for education and desire to be a bursar

[00:25:56] – Advice for transitioning professionals entering education

[00:32:57] – Involving academic staff in financial and strategic decisions

[00:34:41] – Pay-as-you-play models and service modularity

[00:36:44] – The future of hybrid learning and tech-based schooling

[00:38:09] – In-house VR education: Campus Exile and immersive learning

[00:40:32] – Commercializing soft assets and school IP

[00:44:42] – Innovation under price pressure: new models of sustainability

Connect Our Guest on:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/owen-adams-aa330928

Website: https://www.bradfieldcollege.org.uk/about/senior-management-team/

Connect with Nigel Ward on:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nigel-ward-author-of-using-less-stuff-88684a25

Follow Using Less Stuff Podcast on Social media:

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCostReductionCompany

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👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cost-reduction-company/

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecostreductioncompany8128

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In this episode of the ⁨@thecostreductioncompany8649⁩ John Murphie, Chief Operating Officer at ISBA, shares his unique journey from a career in the Royal Navy to leadership roles within the education sector. With decades of experience in both military and civilian leadership, John offers an insightful perspective on governance, financial management, and the evolving challenges faced by schools today.

From managing internal operations at ISBA to navigating the complexities of school governance, John highlights key lessons on agility in decision-making, strategic financial planning, and the importance of delegation. He also discusses the challenges of managing school finances and the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✅ The Power of Agility in Governance

John emphasizes the importance of having a flexible and responsive governance structure, where senior leadership teams are deeply involved in decision-making processes.

✅ The Role of Bursars and Heads in Financial Oversight

Bursars play a pivotal role in ensuring schools stay financially stable. However, they must also collaborate closely with heads of schools and governors to build trust and effective working relationships.

✅ Managing Change and Delegation

Delegation can be difficult, especially when leaders are diligent and want to maintain control. However, successful schools ensure their staff is empowered to take on responsibility and contribute to the school’s broader goals.

✅ The Evolving Role of Schools in Financial Management

Schools are facing pressure to justify their fees and provide value for money. John discusses the importance of understanding customer needs and how schools can adapt to stay competitive.

✅ Using Data to Drive Decisions

John suggests that schools need to become more data-driven, not just in academic performance but also in assessing the financial health of their institutions and the effectiveness of their resources.

⏱️ Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – Introduction to John Murphie’s career and leadership journey

[00:03:00] – Transitioning from the Royal Navy to the civilian sector

[00:06:30] – Insights from working in a cathedral and barristers’ chambers

[00:09:45] – The challenges of becoming a bursar at Twyford School

[00:13:00] – Financial management and navigating school budgets

[00:16:00] – Building trust between bursars, heads, and governors

[00:19:30] – The importance of understanding the school’s financial and educational goals

[00:23:00] – How change in leadership and structure can impact school operations

[00:26:00] – The role of data and technology in improving school management

[00:29:00] – The concept of pay-as-you-play and alternative fee structures

[00:32:00] – The future of school governance and leadership roles

[00:35:30] – Managing wellbeing and work-life balance in leadership roles

[00:39:00] – Outsourcing and delegation within school management

Connect Our Guest on:

Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/john-murphie-52aa502b3

Website: https://www.isbarecruitment.org.uk/Home/News

Connect with Nigel Ward on:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nigel-ward-author-of-using-less-stuff-88684a25