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Trailer - The MAT Unpacked
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.
View all episodes
By Academy AdvisoryWelcome 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.