Empowering Business Leaders: Personal wellbeing and professional growth

Malmaison, Leeds

Prioritising wellbeing, elevating expertise, driving success

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, leaders face unprecedented challenges that demand resilience, innovation, and adaptability. Our new series of roadshows is designed to empower business leaders by exploring the vital intersection of personal wellbeing and professional development.

This event offers a unique platform for you to uncover strategies that enhance leadership effectiveness while prioritising mental, emotional, and physical health. Through a series of thought-provoking keynotes, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, delegates will gain insights into how effective wellbeing practices can drive individual and organisational success.

Discover practical tools to support yours and your team’s personal growth, foster a thriving workplace culture, and leverage continuing professional development (CPD) to stay ahead in your role. Join a community of forward-thinking business leaders with great networking and support opportunities and leave inspired to lead with purpose, balance, and impact.

Additional dates
London | 17 June
Cardiff | 24 June

Speaker

Emma Harrison

Business Leadership Specialist

Kelly Potton

Advocate Director, Education Mutual

Julia Harnden

Funding Specialist

Louise Hatswell

Conditions of Employment Specialist: Pay

Shenara Pennycooke

Head of Policy for School Business Professionals and Financial Accountability, Schools Financial Support and Oversight, Regions Group, DfE

Pam Burrows

People Booster

Kenneth Goudie

School Business Professional Policy Team Leader, Schools Financial Support and Oversight, Regions Group, DfE

Nathan Shipston

Education Consultant, Jigsaw24

Fee

ASCL members and/or Education Mutual members: £175 + VAT

Non-members: £199 +VAT

Programme

ASCL reserves the right to amend the programme should circumstances dictate.

8.45am			Registration, refreshments and networking

9.15am			Welcome Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist Kelly Potton, Advocate Director, Education Mutual

9.30am			Personal wellbeing Kelly Potton, Advocate Director, Education Mutual This workshop examines the mental health and wellbeing of school business leaders, drawing on key findings from Education Mutual's 2025 School Business Leader Wellbeing Index. It delves into the pressures SBLs face—from financial management to day-to-day operations—highlighting stress levels, workload and work-life balance. Attendees will gain insights into the major stressors impacting performance and explore practical recommendations to support these vital leaders.

10.15am			People Wellbeing: How to enhance working conditions for you and your staff Louise Hatswell, ASCL Conditions of Employment Specialist: Pay This session will help you to manage your work-life balance by looking at the latest policy and practice, and upcoming legislation from the Employment Rights Bill to identify ways to enhance your working conditions, and those of staff working in your schools, colleges and trusts. This interactive session will include tips and practical advice on flexible working opportunities and how to make the most of them, for your own role and to help with recruitment and retention of staff. We will also cover how to make a robust business case when making a request for a salary review.

11.00am			Refreshments and networking

11.15am			Digital wellbeing AI Empowerment: Reducing workloads and leading secure, human-centric innovation Nathan Shipston, Education Consultant, Jigsaw24 Are you new to AI and curious about how it can make your work easier? We'll introduce you to AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and Google Gemini that help reduce daily workloads. Learn easy tips for getting started, understand basic security practices to keep your work safe, and find out how to confidently start conversations about AI in your team. Join us to explore AI in a clear, approachable way - no prior experience required!

12.00pm			Lunch and networking

12.45pm			DfE School Business Professional Policy Team Shenara Pennycook, Head of Policy for School Business Professionals and Financial Accountability, Schools Financial Support and Oversight, Regions Group Kenneth Goudie, School Business Professional Policy Team Leader, Schools Financial Support and Oversight, Regions Group

1.15pm			Financial Wellbeing: Are your school finances thriving or just surviving? Julia Harnden, ASCL Funding Specialist Effective budgeting is essential for maintaining financial stability in schools. This session will explore key strategies to prevent financial vulnerability, ensuring that schools can allocate resources efficiently, manage risks, and sustain long-term financial health. We will consider the bigger picture presented by the funding landscape in 2025 and consider the impact of external policy decisions on local financial management decisions.

2.00pm			Refreshment break

2.15pm			Burnout to Brilliance: Practical steps to build your resilience and energy Pam Burrows, People Booster In this interactive and energising session, Pam Burrows will be sharing strategies that won her a European award for reducing stress in the workplace. This session is about you: what are the signs that you could be heading for burnout, and what can you do about it? With practical and fun ways to get everyone healthier and happier, Pam will give you plenty to take away and use yourself, and with your team too.

3.25pm			Closing remarks