Sponsored by ESPO

Presented to an individual whose business leadership skills and commercial outlook have had a positive impact on the school’s budgeting and strategic decision making.

2026 Winner: Emma Searl - The New Guild Trust

Emma Searl is the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Company Secretary at The New Guild Trust, a multi-academy trust based in Stoke-on-Trent, UK. In this senior strategic leadership role, Emma oversees financial management, governance compliance and business operations across the trust’s family of schools. She is responsible for ensuring robust financial planning, budgetary control and sound stewardship of public funds — all essential for driving educational excellence within the trust. Her duties also include acting as the Trust’s Company Secretary, ensuring that governance processes and legal obligations are met effectively.

Emma supports senior leaders, headteachers and the Board of Trustees by providing strategic insight into resourcing decisions, risk management and long-term financial sustainability. She plays a key part in ensuring that schools within the trust are financially resilient and operating within regulatory frameworks, helping to protect educational outcomes for pupils. Her leadership has been recognised nationally; in 2025, Emma won the National School Business Leader of the Year award, celebrating her excellence in school business and trust finance leadership. Emma’s work helps The New Guild Trust deliver efficient, transparent and forward-thinking financial governance — underpinning the trust’s mission to provide high-quality education across its community.

Commended
Dawn Boyes - United Learning 

Dawn Boyes has demonstrated exceptional business leadership at United Learning, playing a pivotal role in strengthening operational performance, financial resilience and strategic planning across the organisation. As an experienced School Business Leader, Dawn is recognised for her ability to balance robust financial governance with a clear focus on supporting educational outcomes. Her work has helped ensure that resources are deployed efficiently and sustainably, enabling school leaders to concentrate on delivering high-quality teaching and learning.

In 2025, Dawn’s impact was formally recognised when she was named runner-up for School Business Leader of the Year at the National Schools Awards, one of the most respected accolades in the education sector. Award judges praised her for “demonstrating outstanding strategic insight, financial acumen and a clear understanding of how business leadership underpins school improvement.” They highlighted her ability to lead complex operational change while maintaining strong relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.

Colleagues describe Dawn as “a trusted strategic partner who brings clarity, professionalism and innovation to every aspect of school business management.” Her success at United Learning reflects a broader commitment to raising the profile of school business leadership and driving excellence across multi-academy trust operations.

Tracey Parsons - Brockmoor & Brierley Hill Primary Schools

Tracey Parsons is a highly regarded School Business Manager at Brockmoor Primary School and Brierley Hill Primary School in the West Midlands, UK. Her leadership in school operations, strategic financial management and business support services underpins strong organisational performance across both primary settings. Tracey has been nationally recognised for her contribution to school leadership, including being named an award winner on National School Business Leaders’ Day 2024 for her commitment and impact in the sector. Her work has helped strengthen governance, improve budget oversight and foster effective partnerships that benefit pupils, staff and the wider community.

At Brockmoor, she is responsible for overarching business operations, contributing to efficient resource management and supporting strategic planning within the leadership team. At Brierley Hill Primary School she also holds the role of School Business Manager in their staffing structure, working closely with senior leaders to ensure smooth running and compliance. Tracey’s role is central to creating environments where educational excellence can flourish through sound financial and administrative practice.

Steve Parkinson - The Vale Federation

Steve Parkinson serves as Business Director at The Vale Federation, a group of special schools in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, including Booker Park School and Stocklake Park School. In this senior leadership position, Steve is responsible for overseeing the Federation’s strategic financial planning, operational systems and business functions — ensuring that resources are managed effectively to support high-quality education for pupils with complex needs.

One of his key focuses in recent years has been strengthening the Federation’s financial resilience and compliance infrastructure. Working alongside finance and data teams, he has led initiatives to enhance cyber resilience, data protection procedures and secure handling of sensitive pupil information — vital in special education settings where each student has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Angela Ogden - St Damian's RC Science College

Angela is a highly experienced and trusted leader at St Damian’s, whose work spans finance, ICT, facilities, staff wellbeing, and pupil support. With 32 years in educational finance, she maintains robust financial controls, supporting high-quality curriculum delivery and contributing to four consecutive ‘Outstanding’ inspections. She has overseen ICT transitions, managed complex PFI arrangements, and led sustainability initiatives such as the ‘Sparkle & Save’ project. Angela co-founded the BeeWell staff wellbeing programme and supports professional development and succession planning through mentoring and leadership roles, including chairing Tameside SBL and volunteering as a Foundation Governor. She also contributes to pupil enrichment, including Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, ensuring strategic, practical, and measurable impact across the school.
 

Gemma Singleton - Vine Schools Trust

Gemma Singleton is a highly skilled Trust Business Manager whose strategic financial leadership has significantly benefited the four Dengie schools. She provides clear, timely, and trusted financial guidance, enabling school leaders to plan proactively and make decisions that strengthen sustainability and pupil outcomes. Beyond budget management, Gemma has secured over £150,000 in additional funding for enrichment, pastoral support, learning environments, and curriculum resources, demonstrating her commercial acumen and ability to maximise opportunities. She has developed collaborative funding models with PTAs and trusts, increasing impact and community engagement. Her leadership directly supports wellbeing, inclusion, and learning, while her mentoring of other business managers strengthens consistency across the Trust. Committed to professional development through the Level 5 School Business Operations Management qualification, Gemma combines integrity, expertise, and strategic foresight, making her a valued leader whose work measurably improves educational experiences for pupils across all Dengie schools.

2025 Winner:  Lesley Colbert - Maritime Academy Trust

Finance Manager at the Maritime Academy Trust, Lesley exemplifies exceptional dedication and expertise in educational finance. With over 20 years of experience as a School Business Manager, she now plays a pivotal role in supporting schools within the Trust's central finance team. Her outstanding contributions were recognised when she was honoured as Business Manager/Bursar of the Year at the 2024 Education Today School Awards. Lesley's commitment to excellence ensures that the Trust's financial operations run smoothly, directly benefiting the educational experiences of countless students. Her colleagues and the wider educational community hold her in high esteem.
 

Commended

Duncan Marshall - St Edburg’s CE Primary School, Oxford

Duncan exemplifies dedication and excellence in his role. His commitment extends beyond administrative duties, as he actively engages with both colleagues and students, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Recognised for his outstanding contributions, Duncan was honoured as a Silver Winner in the 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards. His proactive approach has also led to the successful management of significant capital projects, including the development of the school's second site on Ludlow Road, enabling the school to serve more families in the local area. Duncan's unwavering dedication significantly enhances the educational experience at St Edburg's, making him an invaluable asset to the school community.
 

Paula Holbrook - Thinking Schools Academy Trust

The Executive Business Manager at the Thinking Schools Academy Trust has made significant contributions to school business leadership. With over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors, Paula has held roles as a director and chief officer of finance and operations. Her academic achievements include a PhD, MBA, and Chartered FCIPD status. In recognition of her exceptional work, Paula was recognised with the prestigious ISBL Award for Exceptional Contribution to School Business Leadership. Paula's dedication and expertise have been instrumental in advancing TSAT's mission to transform life chances for young people.​
 

Laura Patey-Smith, Wren Spinney School

Laura's leadership has been instrumental in creating a supportive environment for both staff and students, contributing to the school's outstanding reputation. Her commitment to fostering a nurturing atmosphere ensures that every student receives the care and attention they deserve. Laura's unwavering dedication and exceptional skills make her an invaluable asset to Wren Spinney School and the wider educational community.​ Her dedication was recognised when she won the School Business Manager of the Year award at the Northamptonshire Education Awards 2024.  
 

Mark O’Brien, Marjory Kinnon School

With over 25 years of experience supporting children and vulnerable adults, Mark has held senior roles in the education sector for the past 15 years. His expertise encompasses strategy, organisational development, change management, and operational delivery. A Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), Mark contributed to research on applying Operational Excellence to education systems. He also serves on the government advisory Schools and Academies Funding Group. Recently, he initiated support for children displaced due to domestic violence, reflecting his commitment to social mobility and aiding organisations with a social purpose.
 

Akvile Taylor, Brooke Weston Academy

With over 11 years at Brooke Weston Trust and two years in her current role, Akvile leads initiatives that foster a supportive work environment. She spearheaded the creation of an internal "Wellbeing Hub," providing staff with resources, recognition programmes, and support services. Her proactive approach includes implementing 'Wellbeing Days' and 'Brooke Boost' periods, allowing staff time to recharge. Akvile's commitment ensures that colleagues feel valued and supported, contributing to a positive and productive atmosphere at Brooke Weston.

Presented to Sue Blackwell

After joining Wensley Fold Primary in Blackburn as an administration assistant in 1999, and later taking on the School Business manager role, Sue Blackwell has witnessed major change over the last quarter of a century. She has been instrumental in helping the school adapt to the pressures of becoming a two-form school and its transition to become an Academy in 2013, which brought with it major renovations to the site and a doubling of the pupil intake. She retires with the school in an outstanding condition.

2024 nominees

Duncan Marshall - St Edburg’s CE Primary School, Oxfordshire
Mark Barnes-Moran - Stansfield Hall Church of England | Methodist Church Primary School, Lancashire
Fran Hedges - Wootton Park School / Northampton Free Schools Trust
Jacqueline Dwyer - Stony Dean School, Buckinghamshire

2023: presented to Wayne Allsopp New College Leicester

Wayne Allsopp has introduced several new income strands which are now generating £500K in additional income each year. Key organisations like the NHS West Leicester Childrens Mental Health Team now lease office accommodation while an onsite Coffee Shop turns over £100k per year. Alongside the additional income through lettings and catering, Wayne is experienced at bringing in capital and revenue funding. To date, he has attracted over £11 million to improve facilities and opportunities for the students and the local community. New College Leicester is now over subscribed school and has recently increased admission to cope with the demand. Much of this success can be attributed to projects that Wayne has been instrumental in developing.

2023 Nominees
Louise Eames Wolvercote Primary School, Oxford 
Sandra Sant Hawarden High School, Flintshire