Event
The BESA Small Business Accelerator Day – plan for growth and achieve success 7 March 2023
Join our truly inspirational speakers to discover the 'Five key factors to become a successful SME on 7th March 2023.
Join our truly inspirational speakers to discover the 'Five key factors to become a successful SME on 7th March 2023.
This carefully curated agenda will provide you with a better understanding of how to best leverage marketing, investment and international opportunities, to achieve success in the education market. You will gain actionable insight & advice from industry experts to help grow your business. This conference is particularly relevant for BESA SME member companies looking to gear up for growth in 2023 and beyond.
Explore aspects including the following…
Factor 1 - Know your target audience in order to best position your product or service
Join keynote speaker Nick Madhavji MBE, who will help you get to the heart of what it takes to really get to know your customers and develop a product or service that speaks their language and ultimately delivers value where it matters most. When starting up, do you know who you really pitching too and have you got your tone, empathy, understanding right? Do you understand how decisions are made? With over 20 years in the education business, Nick will share how you can quickly and effectively develop a deep understanding of your customers and their key decision-making drivers. This session could make the difference of whether your service is one that stays local or goes global!
Factor 2 - Understand how schools make purchasing decisions to inform your sales strategy
Understanding and responding to each school or trust is more important than ever before and suppliers who best fit the unique requirements and circumstances of the schools are more likely to be viewed favourably while there are factors that can cause suppliers to be deselected from shortlisting. This session aims to provide examples of how purchasing decisions are arrived at along with factors that have given suppliers the edge. Abi will share some areas worth considering when approaching schools or responding to tenders.
Factor 3 - Build and protect your company's online reputation
You know your customers and have developed a compelling product to help them succeed. But how do you build your company’s credibility in the schools market? How do you leverage your online profile to achieve this? And what are the factors you need to take into account to protect your brand? Suzanne Kavanagh and Dave Smith will talk through simple steps to help you develop a clear understanding of what your brand is. They will explain how to identify key messages and communication channels. Drawing on practical strategies to implement your plans, this session will inspire you to build and maintain a positive online company profile in the education sector.
Factor 4 - Develop partnerships to extend your reach
What does education partnership mean, why is it important and what difference can it make to schools as well as your organisation. We’ll explore what partnership looks like in a variety of organisations and how collaboration supports extended reach plus better outcomes for schools and business alike.
Factor 5 - Identify future opportunities for growth
The global education market has seen significant growth during the post-pandemic. UK for its size punches way above its weight with regards to the number of the education SMEs. However, given the size of the UK's addressable market, the global growth and reputation of UK education and other factors, a vast majority of these companies look at international markets very early on in their journey. This session by Vipul will cover some of the global markets where the demand for UK education products and services is high and the support that is available from the government.
Meet the speakers:
Nick Madhavji MBE, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Joskos Solutions, Executive Council Member for BESA.
Nick is a highly successful entrepreneur and the founder of Joskos Solutions, a national award-winning education technology company he founded in his former classroom in response to the school struggling with ICT provision. Since that day in 2001, Joskos Solutions has focused entirely on education and delivering impactful ICT solutions to schools across the UK.Being dyslexic, Nick’s very own education journey was challenging. However, his passion for finding solutions, being proactive and working with people to make amazing things happen built a strong foundation for an education business that has disrupted the way technology services are delivered, with a more proactive stance that always places learners first.Nick is an Executive Council Member for the British Educational Suppliers Association, sitson the board of a number ofNational Education Charities, advises Schools and trusts across the UK, and is a regular keynote speaker on educational, business, armed forces and technology topics.
Abi Agidee-Adekunle, MBA, FCCA, FISBL Accountant & Education Business Consultant, Àshę Business Consulting Ltd, Interim CFO The Howard Partnership Trust.Abi has over 25 years of experience in accountancy, general management and finance. Abi's skillset also includes HR, and IT. premises, project management and education management. She began her career in banking as a member of the Central Financial Control department where she streamlined and improved processes before moving on to become a money market trader. She became a chartered accountant during this period before relocating and successfully rebuilding her career in different sectors. Abi successfully project managed the opening of a number of academy trusts, including London Academy of Excellence, Stratford. Abi has been an SRMA (School resource management adviser) since the pilot in 2018. She also provides Interim CFO support to schools, local authorities & MATs.
Dave Smith, Head of Content, BESA
Dave has oversight for the content of BESA training and events, as well as leading on BESA’s EdTech Exchange and Bett Futures programmes. Formerly a local authority senior inspector and business development lead at HES - Havering School Improvement Services, Dave has spent over twenty years specialising in computing, education technology and online safety support for schools in the UK and overseas. He is a former Bett and ERA Awards Judge and also served as a member of the Bett Advisory Group. He is currently a member and governor of two primary/secondary MATs, has been a governor of four primary and secondary schools and was previously a teacher/senior leader in 3 schools and a university.
Suzanne Kavanagh, Events & Client Director, Bookmachine Creative Agency & Community
Suzanne is an IDM-qualified strategic marketer and communications specialist with 30 years of industry experience. She focuses on what works best for clients and works behind the scenes to make sure projects are running effectively. Prior to her current role, Suzanne held a range of senior marketing and community engagement roles at companies including the Association of Learned & Professional Society Publishers, Creative Skillset, Continuum Publishing and Routledge / Taylor & Francis.
Christine Major, Chief Executive Officer, GLUU.tech and Chair, Executive Council Member for BESA.
I'm CEO of GLUU where we create 'shared goal partnerships', a new category where industry and schools work collaboratively to co-curate services that address systemic issues in education and help make them available to all. I'm a senior EdTech lead with 20 years' experience working with start-ups through global Corps. I've cultivated partnerships with education stakeholders at all levels from Presidential Council members and MoEs through to B2B partners and classroom teachers alike, working closely to create customised content and professional development solutions that support their strategic goals!
Elizabeth McKay, Chief Operating Officer, London Transport MuseumElizabeth is an award-winning creative leader with experience in heritage, public-service broadcasting, and commercial advertising. She joined London Transport Museum as Chief Operating Officer in September 2018 to lead the design and delivery of its future vision. Elizabeth is an active Trustee and Deputy Chair of Kids in Museums, an independent charity dedicated to making museums open and welcoming to families, and a member of the Insights Council supporting the English National Opera. Elizabeth was previously Chief Learning Officer at Historic Royal Palaces, where she developed a new strategy that doubled the reach with new audiences. Her large-scale events and activities were recognised for excellence in the sector with awards from Museum + Heritage and Learning Technologies. Before that, Elizabeth was the Head of BBC Knowledge Campaigns and an Executive Producer. Her projects won a Webby, Peabody, Chilcren's Bafta and a Royal Television Society Education Award for Best Campaign. Elizabeth has a successful career working on leading brands at Grey Advertising in London and New York. Elizabeth holds a BA in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University and an MBA from Oxford's Graduate School of Business.
Greg Hughes, Director of ICT for The de Ferrers Trust, Vice Principla at The de Ferrers AcademyGreg Hughes is Director of ICT for The de ferrers Trust and also a Vice Principal at The de ferrers Academy, responsible particularly for all aspects of ICT Network/Technicians/Cybersecurity and ICT Strategic planning and the highly successful 1:1 iPad programme. He also acts as Leader for Digital Strategy across all 7 Trust schools. Greg is also an Apple Professional Learning Specialist (APLS), Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) and former member of the EMEIA ADE Advisory Board and a qualified CEOP Ambassador, Showbie/Nearpod/National Geographic Certified Educator. Since joining the de Ferrers Academy in 2008, Greg has overseen all ICT developments and led the Academy trhough ICT Mark status (2007/2010), BECTA ICT Excellence award finalist (2009), recognition as both an Apple Regional Training Centre (2014 onwards) and Apple Distinguished School (2015/2017/2021) and a finalist for a TES Digital Innovation Award (2017). Greg has previously been a Beacon Schools Manager, Asssitant Science College Director: (Community) and Head of Physics. In 2005, he received the Salters-Horners A-level Physics Teacher of the Year award, and co-authored the rewrites of AS and A2 Physics textbooks with The University of York.
Rhian Binns, PR and Communications Manager, YPOEducation at YPO is a key leader in developing education partnerships within YPO. Developing and delivering PR, content, and social media strategies for the business. Rhian is also a Board Member for STAMMA, a charity that's creating a better world for people who stammer. As a runner-up at the Yorkshire Choice Awards - Inspirational Individual of the Year award, this accolade shows Rhian's passion to continue to drive change as a young woman in business, campaigning for people who stammer to be treated equally.
Vipul Bhargava, Partner at Novistra Capital, CEO at GILT Education, Edtech and International schools Advisor to the UK's Department of International TradeVipul serves as en Edtech and INternational schools Advisor to the UK's Department of International Trade and works closely with England's Department of Education. Vipul works with Ministries of Education across the world and helps promote UK's Edtech and Independent school sector. Outside of his Government role, Vipul also leads the Education practice as a Partner at a boutique investment bank called Novistra Capital with offices in New York, London and New Delhi. In this capacity Vipul has led Education transactions in India, Australia, Singapore, China and UK. Prior to 2015, Vipul worked for 4 years as Global Vice President at Education First (EF) where he helped grow an online language learning business across Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Prior to EF, Vipul headed Atrategy and Corporate Development for RM Education, a UK listed Education technology business and has been a strategy consultant with Marakon Associates. Vipul holds an MBA from London Business School and undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Programme
1.30pm: Introduction from the Chair - Dave Smith - Head of Content, BESA
1.35-2.05pm: Factor 1 - Know your target audience in order to best position your product or service - Nick Madhavji MBE, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Joskos Solutions, Executive Council Member for BESA.
2.15-2.45pm: Factor 2 - Understand how schools make purchasing decisions to inform your sales strategy - Abi Agidee-Adekunle, MBA, FCCA, FISBL Accountant & Education Business Consultant, Àshę Business Consulting Ltd, Interim CFO The Howard Partnership Trust.
3-3.30pm: Factor 3 - Build and protect your company's online reputation - Suzanne Kavanagh, Events & Client Director, BookMachine Creative Agency & Community and Dave Smith, Head of Content, BESA
3.30 - 3.40pm: Break
3.45-4.15pm: Factor 4 - Develop partnerships to extend your reach - Christine Major, Chief Executive Officer, GLUU.tech and Chair, Executive Council Member for BESA, Elizabeth McKay, Chief Operating Officer, London Transport Museum, Rhian Binns, PR and Communications Manager, YPO and Greg Hughes, Director of ICT for The de Ferrers Trust, Vice Principal at The de Ferrers Academy.
4.30-5pm: Factor 5 - Identify future opportunities for growth - Vipul Bhargava, Partner at Novistra Capital, CEO at GILT Education, Edtech and International schools Advisor to the UK’s Department of International Trade.
5-5.05pm: Closing remarks from the Chair
5.05-5.30pm: Q&A with Nick Madhavji MBE and virtual networking session
"If you are looking to sell to a MAT, this conference is a must!" - Simon Antwis, Senior Education Consultant STEER Education
If you're interested in sponsoring opportunities with this or any other BESA event, please contact paul@besa.org.uk.
BESA will not be offering refunds for this event. It is possible to transfer your ticket to a colleague at any point from the time of the booking to 7 working days before the event.
Share
Sign up for updates from BESA
Latest event
24/10/2024 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Unlock the secrets to effortless networking and build stronger business relationships with...
24 Oct 2024
21/01/2025 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm - An overview of the UK education and the EdTech marketplace. Make the...
21 Jan 2025
