Biography
Sarah Sawford is Hub Business and Operations Manager for Minerva Learning Trust, where she leads strategic and operational delivery across four Derbyshire schools. Her role spans oversight of business support functions, facilities and estates management, compliance, finance, HR, and project delivery - ensuring that each school operates efficiently, safely, and in alignment with Trust priorities. Sarah works closely with school leaders and the central team to drive performance, secure funding, and embed best practice across all operational areas.
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With a degree in School Business Management and extensive experience in education operations, Sarah brings a strategic mindset to resource planning, budget forecasting, and workforce development. She has led multimillion-pound capital projects, including one of the largest local authority investments in high needs provision, and consistently delivers value through rigorous financial oversight and collaborative procurement. Sarah is also a skilled people leader, managing cross-school support teams and guiding staff through complex HR matters with empathy and professionalism. Her work reflects a deep commitment to compliance, continuous improvement, and creating environments where both staff and students can thrive
Why have I joined nEdEx?
Sarah Sawford has joined the nEdEx advisory board to champion collaboration and share her expertise in business operations, compliance, and strategic support. With a strong belief in the power of emotional intelligence and positive culture, she brings both technical knowledge and human insight to the network - helping leaders navigate complexity while staying focused on what matters most: delivering excellent education.
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Sarah is passionate about supporting headteachers and trust leaders through innovative operational practice, and sees nEdEx as a space to think differently, embrace new ideas, and drive sector-wide improvement. She believes that a connected network working toward a shared goal can benefit all organisations, whether small schools or large MATs - and is excited to contribute to a community that values openness, learning, and mutual support.