In this episode I'm joined by Michael Unsworth, Chief Operating Officer at Kingfisher Learning Trust, for a conversation about the challenges facing MATs today. What does it mean for a trust to truly evolve? How do you grow with purpose rather than chasing numbers? What strategies can we use to improve recruitment and retention? How do you tackle global challenges like AI and sustainability when you're already stretched? And as the sector matures, what's actually coming next? Michael talks candidly about navigating constant change from the operations seat and where he thinks the future of MATs lies.

▶️ This episode at a glance:

[01:57] – What it means to be a 'mixed MAT' and the challenge of maintaining trust identity

[11:22] – How the trust approaches growth and views it from a wider sector perspective

[17:07] – Building and maintaining capacity in the face of recruitment and retention struggles

[30:07] – The different flavours of challenge: AI and sustainability versus estates and cyber security

[43:01] – Where Michael thinks the future of MATs is heading

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Contact Michael via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-unsworthklt/

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This podcast is hosted by me, Laura Williams, and sponsored by the amazing team at Schools Advisory Service who are the UK’s largest provider of staff absence insurance and comprehensive whole school wellbeing services.

⭐️ Laura’s website: https://www.ljbusinessofeducation.co.uk

⭐️ Schools Advisory Service website: https://schooladvice.co.uk/