News
22 May 2024
On 8 May, school business leaders, estates and finance professionals came together from schools and Trusts across Essex to network, collaborate and learn at Zenergi’s Invest in You conference ay Hylands House, Chelmsford.
The morning was devoted to developing the cognitive tools to change your mindset and make positive choices in how we think about things. Justine Berkeley from SBM Services, shared her real-world experience of working as a school business director and in financial management for Suffolk and Essex Local Authorities to demonstrate the significant impact the strategic management of business functions can have on organisational improvement. While acknowledging the pressures facing school business leaders, including lack of funding; deteriorating school buildings; recruitment and retention challenges; increasing numbers of SEND pupils and overwhelmed teachers, Justine reflected on the emergence of tools and technology available to help streamline processes and improve efficiency. Justine’s well-received session provided delegates with some key takeaways and useful tips to help plan for success and prioritise commitments to achieve more with less. In keeping with the theme of the event, Justine concluded with her key takeaways to ensure you invest in you by filling your five buckets of Knowledge; Skills; Network; Resources; and Reputation.
Stephen Morales, the Institute of School Business Leadership’s Chief Executive, continued the theme of ‘Invest in You’ by introducing the Institute’s new, innovative approach to self-assessment for formal certification, with a preview of the assessment tool and outputs. The session provided an understanding of how experience plays a key role in demonstrating capability. ISBL have created an exclusive package for attendees of Invest in You that provides access to the tool, regardless of membership level. To find out more about how to access the exclusive package please email marketinggroup@zenergi.co.uk.
We were delighted to welcome Paul Hughes, a retired headteacher and trustee of charity School in a Bag, with whom Zenergi has first-hand experience, having organised a group-wide bag packing day earlier this year. Zenergi’s 500 SchoolBags will be going to Ukraine to help displaced children continue their education during the conflict. Paul introduced delegates to the wonderful work the organisation is doing distributing school supplies to disadvantaged children around the world, offering a solution for schools looking to enhance their ESG credentials.
The morning concluded with an introduction to using laughter as a personal development tool from Dave Keeling at Laughology. The lively hands-on session got delegates immersed in the psychology and neuroscience of harnessing the power of laughter to maintain a positive mindset and how repeating patterns of behaviour can make you feel good.
The fast-paced session delivered plenty of laughs and made the perfect prelude to lunch, which offered a relaxing time for delegates to meet with exhibitors, and enjoy pizza, paella, prosecco and soft drinks with friends, colleagues and peers on the sunny lawn of Hylands House.
Laughology’s Dave brought everyone back with a deeper dive into the psychology of humour and positive thinking to drive positive outcomes and behaviour. In Dave’s unique style, the session provided a wealth of information and practical tips to help delegates develop their cognitive toolkit. The session provided expert advice on how to focus time, what to put in the ‘chuck it bucket’ and how to develop positive thinking that improves outcomes in both your personal and professional lives.
Delegates could then choose from three practical workshops, allowing the opportunity to focus on areas of professional development, from sustainability with Paul Edmond from HEART Academies Trust and Operations Group Co-Chair at UK Schools Sustainability Network; to estate management with MAC Construction Consultants; or a humorous and hard-hitting session on finance with Simon Oxenham from Southend School for Boys, where delegates were surprised with a visit from the Grim Reaper!
A final tea and coffee break afforded delegates the opportunity to catch the remaining exhibitors to complete their ‘exhibitor bingo’ card ahead of the prize draw, where a hamper and two bottles of prosecco were presented to the two lucky winners selected at random.
The final breakout sessions offered delegates a choice of three further sessions, on compliance with iAMCompliant; cyber security with LGfL; and a practical session looking at the tools and techniques for net zero success with Zenergi’s Director of Technical Solutions, Mandip Bhamra, who explored the options for renewable energy to make the energy budget go further, and how to decarbonise the school estate.
Overall, the event was rated 4.3 out of 5 by both delegates and exhibitors alike. We were delighted to host over 100 school business professionals to another successful event filled with such a positive and collaborative vibe.
We were delighted to welcome a variety of exhibitors without whom it would not be possible to put on this free event for delegates. We are grateful to all our repeat bookers, in addition to those exhibiting for the very first time with us. It gives us great pleasure to have received such positive feedback from these fellow school suppliers.
Thank you Zenergi for another fantastic event. Always our favourite event in the year to be part of.
The Zenergi team were helpful throughout and I had a wonderful experience as an exhibitor.
Did you miss out on attending or exhibiting this year? Please register your interest for Invest in You 2025 here:
Thanks to Carmel Jane Photography for once again capturing the special moments from the day.
"It was a really useful day. Great to speak to other people doing the same job for ideas and tips. Great to listen to the speakers. I found them very motivating and captivating."
"This was my third year of attending and each year it gets better, so much information and talks which are always very helpful and useful."
"I really enjoyed the event, it was well organised and incredibly useful. I picked up lots of information from the brilliant speakers and it was a great opportunity to network too."
