The Education Business Conference 2026
Vertu Motors Arena
After a hugely successful 2025 conference at the Vertu Motors Arena, with fantastic feedback from delegates on the new workshop-style format and venue, we are delighted to once again bring the fourteenth Education Business Conference to Newcastle. Taking place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, this annual event is designed for everyone involved in the business of running a school or trust. It’s your opportunity to connect, collaborate, and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping education today.
Who Should Attend?
This event is ideal for anyone involved in their school or trust’s operations and strategic planning, including:
- Experienced School Business Professionals and newcomers to the role
- Individuals involved in operational or strategic roles within schools or trusts
- School Business Managers, Office Managers, HR and Finance Managers, CFOs, COOs, Administrators
- Head Teachers and other School Leaders
Whether you’re returning after last year’s successful relaunch or joining us for the first time, this year’s conference is your chance to:
- Exchange ideas
- Discover new solutions
- Equip yourself with tools to drive excellence and efficiency
Why Attend?
This must-attend event offers actionable insights, innovative strategies, and practical tools to help you navigate today’s challenges while planning for tomorrow.
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Dynamic Keynotes & Practical Workshops: Learn from inspiring speakers and gain strategies you can apply directly in your role.
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Extensive Networking Opportunities: Share insights and build valuable connections with colleagues from across the region and beyond.
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Comprehensive Exhibition: Explore innovative solutions from leading providers tailored to schools and trusts.
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Emerging Trends & Best Practice: Stay ahead with the latest developments in school business management and education leadership.
Event Organiser
Event Main Sponsor
Event Costs
Partner School£100 +VAT
Non Partner School£160 +VAT
Commercial/Educational Supporters£250 +VAT
Non School£300 +VAT
For groups of 3+10% Discount
Book your placeEvent Overview
Chris Zarraga
Director, Schools North East
Chris is the Director of School North East. He has been part of the Schools North East team since its operational inception in 2008 and in 2019 he was appointed Director. Chris works with senior leaders across the North East and nationally in the education and charity sectors, to represent the voice of North East schools. A central part of his work is to lobby politicians, policy makers, and the media to put a strong ‘regional accent’ on the education debate, so that North East schools are not left behind when it comes to education policy.
Under Chris, Schools North East launched the ‘Manifesto for North East Education’. The manifesto sets out the perennial challenges that impact educational opportunities in the North East and the principles needed to inform any educational policy wanting to address them.
Chris works with hundreds of schools across the North East and various organisations including Ofsted, the DfE, the North East’s universities, Local Authorities and various regional/ national businesses. Prior to joining Schools North East, he led a £1.4 million culture change project in education across the North East for the Treasury and DfE and was responsible for setting up a multi-million pound Enterprise Education Network.
Chris sits on various advisory boards including the NHS Integrated Care Boards, various Combined Authority advisory boards, and was a member of the DfE’s Opportunity North East strategic board. He has also sat on various boards for North East Universities. As well as being a Director of two North East multi academy trusts, Chris has been Chair of a 3 school Trust, Vice Chair of a large maintained secondary school and Vice Chair of a primary foundation school.
In a variety of roles from Regional Manager to Chief Executive to Board member, Chris has led large scale change management projects in education and has over 20 years’ experience of strategic management, consultancy, and client development experience at a ‘Big Four’ firm and various financial institutions.
Chris holds an MBA with distinction from Durham University Business School.
Tyne Bridge Restoration Travel Information
If you are planning to travel to The Education Business Conference 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 parking, public transport & journey here!
Major Roadworks Newcastle City Centre – Travel Advisory
Please be aware that major roadworks will affect the A167(M) Central Motorway in Newcastle from mid-August for approximately 18 months. This includes daytime lane reductions and overnight full closures between the Great North Road and New Bridge Street roundabout, due to urgent viaduct repairs. These works may impact journey times for delegates travelling by car. We recommend checking live traffic updates and considering alternative routes or public transport where possible.
Accommodation
We have secured a reduced bedroom rate for anyone wishing to stay at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle-Stephenson Quarter on the night of the 10th of June. The hotel is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the central station.
Rate – £125 Bed & Breakfast for a single occupancy room
Full booking instructions will be shared in your confirmation email.
Venue Directions Map
Arrival
Please enter using the main venue entrance and register your arrival at the Schools North East registration desk on the ground floor.
Name badges are arranged alphabetically by last name—find yours, grab a drink, explore the exhibition, and take a seat!
WIFI
Network: Vertu Motors Arena Events
Password: Events2024!
Exhibition Bingo
HOW TO PLAY:
- Visit the stand numbers on your card
- Get this card stamped by the exhibitors
- Fill in you contact details and deposit this card at the registration desk for you chance to win!
Bingo Prizes coming soon!
Please use the form below to book if you have any issues click here to open in your browser.
The Education Business Conference 2025: Future Proofing Education
Event Date: 12 June 2025
Location: Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle
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