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The MAT Unpacked

The MAT Unpacked

By: Academy Advisory
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Welcome to The MAT Unpacked, the podcast that opens up what “good” really looks like in multi-academy trusts.


Hosted by Chris Whiting from Academy Advisory, each episode brings you honest and open conversations with trust leaders, auditors and specialists who’ve been there, done it, and learned the lessons. We go beyond theory and compliance to explore the decisions, processes and practical approaches that help trusts run well, financially, operationally and educationally, so they can keep focus where it belongs: improving outcomes for children and young people.


What you’ll get from every episode

  • Real stories from the sector — what teams actually did, why they did it, and what changed as a result
  • Practical insight, not jargon — translating finance, risk and governance requirements into clear, usable action
  • Actionable takeaways — questions to ask, steps to follow and ideas you can apply immediately in your trust
  • Assurance that supports improvement — showing how internal audit can be a genuine partner, not a tick-box exercise


What we cover

The MAT Unpacked reflects the real issues trusts face, including:

  • Risk management and assurance that works in practice
  • Financial control, sustainability and better decision-making
  • Governance structures, delegation and board effectiveness
  • Centralising services and building central teams that add value
  • Safeguarding, HR, ICT, estates and wider compliance
  • School improvement and Ofsted readiness
  • Recovery and turnaround stories from trusts under pressure


Who it’s for

If you’re involved in leadership, governance or operations in a trust, this show is for you — including CEOs, Executive Heads, CFOs/COOs, Finance Directors, Trust Business Managers, School Business Leaders, Trustees, Audit & Risk Committee members, Heads of Governance, and directors responsible for areas like HR, ICT, estates and safeguarding. It’s also a valuable listen for professional advisors and aspiring trust leaders who want a realistic view of what excellence looks like.


About Academy Advisory

Academy Advisory is a specialist internal audit and assurance provider for the academy sector, with deep experience in trust finance and operations, over 20 years in education audit, and a portfolio spanning 300+ academies. Our approach is collaborative and sector-specific — internal auditors supporting teaching and learning, not just ticking boxes.

https://academyadvisory.com/


Whether you’re tightening controls, improving governance, preparing for inspection, or simply trying to run a more resilient trust, The MAT Unpacked gives you practical insight you can trust, and take straight into your next meeting.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Academy Advisory Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • What Does Good Risk Management Look Like in a Multi Academy Trust?

    What Does Good Risk Management Look Like in a Multi Academy Trust?
    Mar 27 2026

    In this episode of The MAT Unpacked, host Ed Nell is joined by regular co-host Chris Whiting from Academy Advisory, alongside returning guests Hugh Greenway and Simon Pink from The Elliot Foundation.


    The discussion focuses on one of the most misunderstood topics in trust leadership: risk management. Rather than treating risk as a bureaucratic exercise or a document that sits untouched for most of the year, the conversation explores how effective trusts embed risk thinking into everyday management.


    From the dangers of performative risk registers to the importance of relationships, transparency and context, Hugh and Simon explain how risk should be treated as a living, evolving process rather than a compliance task.


    Key Takeaways

    Risk management is just good management.

    Rather than treating risk as a separate activity, effective trusts integrate risk thinking into day-to-day leadership decisions and operational conversations.


    Multiple perspectives strengthen risk insight.

    Capturing risks from different directorates, schools and stakeholders creates a more realistic picture of organisational challenges.


    Trustees use risk to ask better questions.

    A strong risk register provides a framework for governance conversations, helping trustees explore data, challenge assumptions and understand underlying issues.


    Data and relationships must work together.

    Dashboards and metrics provide signals, but meaningful insight comes from conversations with school leaders and staff.


    Start small and improve iteratively.

    Risk management doesn’t need to be perfect. The goal is continual improvement and better understanding over time.


    Key Moments

    “Risk management isn’t something separate – it’s just management.”


    “If risk is done for the auditors rather than the organisation, it becomes performative.”


    “A real risk register shouldn’t look perfect – it should look live.”


    “You need data, but you also need relationships and context to understand it.”


    “If you don’t know where you are, don’t make any decisions.”


    About The MAT Unpacked

    The MAT Unpacked explores what effective leadership and governance look like inside Multi Academy Trusts.

    Hosted by Ed Nell and featuring regular co-host Chris Whiting from Academy Advisory, each episode brings together trust leaders and sector specialists to share practical insights, real experiences and lessons learned from across the education sector.

    The aim is simple: to open up conversations about how trusts can operate more effectively and ultimately improve outcomes for learners.


    How to Get in Touch

    To learn more about Academy Advisory or connect with the team:

    Website: https://academyadvisory.com

    LinkedIn: Academy Advisory

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow The MAT Unpacked and share it with colleagues across your trust.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • Beyond the School Gate: How Trusts Can Become Community Anchors

    Beyond the School Gate: How Trusts Can Become Community Anchors
    Mar 13 2026

    Episode 1 - Beyond the School Gate: How Trusts Can Become Community Anchors

    In the first episode of The MAT Unpacked, host Ed is joined by regular co-host Chris Whiting (Academy Advisory) alongside guests Hugh Greenway and Simon Pink from The Elliot Foundation.


    Recorded at the Trust’s London offices, the conversation explores how multi academy trusts can go beyond improving schools to play a wider role in supporting the communities they serve. From tackling food insecurity through the Community Box programme to developing school-based community hubs.

    This episode looks at the balance between social purpose and operational focus, the realities of working within regulatory frameworks and why building trust with communities may be one of the most powerful ways to improve outcomes for children.


    Key Takeaways

    Schools are part of wider communities.

    Educational outcomes cannot be separated from the environment children live in. Supporting families and communities can have a meaningful impact on pupils’ ability to learn.


    Small ideas can create large impact.

    The Elliot Foundation’s Community Box initiative began with a simple observation about a child arriving early for breakfast at school and grew into a programme supporting thousands of families.


    Protect the core mission.

    While social initiatives can be powerful, trust leaders must ensure that they don’t distract from the primary responsibility of improving teaching and learning.


    Community hubs should be locally designed.

    Each community has different needs. Effective support comes from listening first and shaping services around what families actually require.


    Start small and build from there.

    Not every trust can launch large programmes immediately. Smaller projects and partnerships can still make a meaningful difference locally.


    Key Moments

    “If children don’t feel safe, they don’t learn.”


    “You can’t take a school out of the context of its community.”


    “If not us, then who?”


    “Sometimes creating a small space where people feel valued can rebuild trust in institutions.”


    The Elliot Foundation: https://elliotfoundation.co.uk/

    How schools can transform communities - The Elliot Foundation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dzzk7AG5w4

    Government White Paper - Every child achieving and thriving Published 23 February 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving/every-child-achieving-and-thriving-html-version


    About The MAT Unpacked

    The MAT Unpacked is a podcast exploring what effective leadership and governance look like inside multi academy trusts.

    Hosted by Ed and featuring regular co-host Chris Whiting from Academy Advisory, each episode brings together trust leaders and sector specialists to share practical insights, real experiences and lessons learned from across the education system.

    The goal is simple: to open up conversations about how trusts can operate more effectively and ultimately improve outcomes for learners.


    How to Get in Touch

    To learn more about Academy Advisory or connect with the team:

    Website: https://academyadvisory.com

    LinkedIn: Academy Advisory


    If you enjoyed this episode, follow The MAT Unpacked and share it with colleagues across your trust.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
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