School Business Management Conference 2025
Vertu Arena, Newcastle
The thirteenth annual Schools North East School Business Management Conference invites anyone involved in the business end of running a school or trust to connect, collaborate, and delve into the challenges and opportunities of their roles.
This year’s conference will feature a dynamic blend of keynote speeches and practical sessions designed to support and enhance your professional practice. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and engage with a wide range of provider organisations through our comprehensive exhibition. This event is a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, discovering new solutions, and building lasting professional relationships.
In addition to these engaging sessions, the conference will highlight emerging trends and best practice in school business management, offering actionable takeaways to help you navigate the evolving educational landscape. With a focus on practical strategies and innovative solutions, the conference aims to equip you with the tools needed to drive excellence and efficiency in your role.
Who should attend?
The event is tailored for and business personnel in schools or trusts: School Business Managers, Administrators, CFOs, Finance Managers and Officers, Head Teachers, senior school leaders, and all staff involved in the daily operations or strategic planning of their school.
Event Organiser
Event Main Sponsor
Event Costs
Partner School Member£100 + VAT
Non Partner School£160 + VAT
Commercial/ Education Supporter Member£250 + VAT
Non Member, Non School£300 + VAT
Book your placeEvent Overview
Chris Zarraga
Director, Schools North East
Chris has been part of the Schools North East team since its inception in 2007 and in 2019 he was appointed Director.
Chris works with other leaders across the North East, the education sector and charity sector to represent the voice of North East schools, and lobby policy makers to ensure that the North East is not left behind when it comes to education policy. Chris has overseen the launch of the Ednorth evidence-based excellence programme, as well as the partnership with SHINE bringing over £500,000 worth of funding to North East schools.
Under Chris, Schools North East has moved to a greater focus on lobbying around education policy, with the launch of the Manifesto for North East Education in December 2019. As well as being a trustee of a local MAT, Chris sits on various boards including the board for Opportunity North East. Prior to joining Schools North East, Chris worked with over 165 schools in the North East and various education organisations including local authorities, Excellence Partnerships, 14-19 Groups, the Specialist Schools & Academies Trust, and School Improvement Officers. He led a large scale culture change project in education across the North East and was the development consultant for the LEGI funded Wansbeck Enterprise Education Network.
Tyne Bridge Restoration Travel Information
If you are planning to travel to the event by car, please remember that the Tyne Bridge is currently undergoing major restoration works and is down to one lane each way.
We recommend avoiding the Tyne Bridge as there are expected delays of up to 40 minutes at peak travel times. Heavy congestion is expected on the Quayside route, Swing Bridge and routes to and from Redheugh Bridge and all approaches to the Tyne Bridge from both Newcastle and Gateshead sides.
Public transport is strongly advised when travelling to and from Newcastle city centre and Gateshead town centre, whether or not you now drive over the Tyne. For those who can’t use public transport, other river crossings that drivers could use include the A19, with the Tyne Tunnel connecting North Shields and Jarrow. Further west, motorists could cross the Tyne via the A1 on Blaydon Bridge or Scotswood Bridge, which connects the A694 and A695.
Whichever route you decide to use, we advise planning ahead, allow more time for your journeys, and expect delays.
More information about park and ride/ public transport and journey:
Parking
The Vertu Motors Arena Car Park entrance is easy to find on the eastbound side of Scotswood Road, in the direction of Newcastle City Centre
Put the postcode NE4 7AF in your sat-nav
Free parking available at the venue for both cars and coaches
Public Transport
Newcastle central station is a 15 minute walk away
Bus stops close-by in both directions on the Scotswood Road dual carriageway and above the arena on Westmorland Road:
32/32A – Newcastle, Benwell, Kenton Bar, Four Lane Ends, Byker, Newcastle, Freeman Hospital – every 30 minutes up to 8pm then every 60 minutes up to 11pm
1 – Four Lane Ends, Newcastle, Slatyford – every 10 minutes up to 11pm
8 – Central Station, Water Street, Lemington, Fawdon, Freeman Hospital – 1 service after 6pm
12/12A – Newcastle, Blaydon, Winlaton, Blaydon, Newcastle – every 30 minutes up to 7pm and every 60 minutes up to 11:30pm
22/22X – Cobalt Business Park, Wallsend, Newcastle, Throckley – every 10 minutes up to 6pm then every 20 minutes up to 11:30pm
Arrival
Please enter using the main venue entrance and register your arrival at the Schools North East registration desk on the ground floor
WIFI
Network: Vertu Motors Arena Events
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