The Education Leaders Conference 2025: A powerful start for nEdEx…

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Eight weeks ago, nEdEx didn’t even exist. On 9 October 2025, more than 100 education leaders came together at the Leonardo Hotel in Milton Keynes for its first-ever conference, and the energy in the room proved just how much the sector needed it.

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Powered by EPM, nEdEx has been created to bring leaders together in an open, pragmatic space; one that feels grounded in reality, not rhetoric. Across the day’s main stage sessions and interactive breakout workshops, one thing became clear: there’s a growing appetite for honest collaborative conversations about what’s working in education, what isn’t, and how we can face the future together.

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To mark the debut conference, the day was chaired by Chair of nEdEx and CEO of EPM, Jen Elliott.

We’ve pulled together just a few of the standout quotes from the day. With so many insightful sessions and thought-provoking moments, it was no easy task to choose, but these are the ones that really stayed with us.

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Setting the tone: Vision, Culture and Courage

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The day opened with Sash Hamidi, CEO of The Pegasus Partnership Trust, who captured the spirit of leadership in three words: vision, culture, and courage.

“Policies and governments change,” he reminded delegates, “but people are what we need to get right.”

His message was one of intentional leadership, moving from reactive decision-making to proactive, purpose-driven change. Sash speaking to delegates encouraged leaders to pause and celebrate each milestone (“love the view at the top of each mountain”) while keeping sight of the next climb.

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Most importantly, challenging everyone to stay focused on the people at the heart of education: the pupils.

Finance, Governance and Future-Facing Leadership.

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In her keynote “Public hearted and business-minded", Rowena Hackwood, CEO of Astrea Academy Trust, explored how schools and trusts can unlock more value from within their systems. Her reflections on financial sustainability, governance and structural change struck a chord with many.

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Rowena spoke about the need for leaders to “be future-facing” - anticipating the challenges and opportunities ahead rather than reacting to them. From growing staff costs and infrastructure pressures to the importance of shared services and collaboration, Rowena’s message was clear: efficiency and purpose must go hand in hand.

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Collaboration Over Competition

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Throughout the morning, one theme came up again and again: collaboration. A word that nEdEx absolutely stands firm in its mission for!

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Adrian Rogers urged leaders to be “professionally generous” - to visit other trusts, share what works, and learn from each other’s mistakes. Adrian stated: “The most collaborative leaders are the ones who get better quicker.”

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He encouraged attendees to make a habit of visiting three trusts a year and to be open about what’s under the bonnet. “Collaboration sends a strong signal to staff,” he said. “It shows that you’re relentless about improvement  -  and that’s what builds trust.”

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Data, Recruitment and the Power of First Impressions

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The day was not possible without partners and sponsors of nEdEx, so next up, Wayne Cartmel, CEO of MyNewTerm turned the spotlight to recruitment and retention, sharing national data and trends that underline the urgency of local solutions.

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With a median application distance of just 3.2 miles, he reminded leaders that “engaging your local community” is more powerful than any national campaign. The takeaway was simple: create a positive candidate experience from the very first interaction.

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“Your recruitment process is the first reflection of your culture. A positive experience means they’re more likely to come back.” - a very important point raised by Wayne.

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Culture, Community and Courageous Conversations

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A panel discussion featuring school and trust leaders, brought raw honesty to the afternoon. Behaviour and parental engagement emerged as key issues, with delegates agreeing that it’s time to rebuild understanding between schools and families.

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“Parents aren’t to blame,” one panellist said. “But accountability systems can make professionals hesitant to have the tough conversations. We need to reconnect as a community.”

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The applause that followed showed how much this resonated across the sector. The message? Be brave enough to listen, and brave enough to say ‘no’ when needed.

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Workshops: From Insight to Action

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Across both morning and afternoon breakout sessions, delegates took a closer look at topics shaping the future of trust and school improvement - from using AI responsibly, to managing absence with empathy, to building financially sustainable models for growth.

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Hosts of the breakout sessions reminded attendees that meaningful improvement doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about empathy, honesty, and follow-through. One particular quote emerged from a workshop, “Plan with empathy, evaluate with honesty, and review with humility.”

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The Power of the Collective

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By the end of the day, one theme echoed through every conversation: the power of the collective voice.

nEdEx’s first conference wasn’t about grand statements or buzzwords. It was about creating a space where leaders could be real with one another - sharing what’s hard, what’s hopeful, and what’s next.

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As one delegate said while leaving, “It’s refreshing to be in a room where everyone’s telling the truth.”

That honesty, paired with a deep sense of shared purpose, is what will continue to define nEdEx as it grows.

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Looking Ahead: Join Us in 2026

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The conversations started in Milton Keynes are just the beginning. nEdEx will return in  March 2026, bringing together leaders from across education once again for another day of practical insight and open dialogue.

If you were part of our debut event - thank you for making it so special. And if you missed it, we’d love for you to join us next time.

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Together, we can keep making this sector and enjoying the view along the way.

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