The MAT Finance Awards 2021: winners revealed

The winners of the inaugural MAT Finance Awards have been announced.
 
The awards were launched in September to provide a unique platform for MAT finance professionals to celebrate their hard work, share best practice and showcase their impact across six categories.

The MAT Finance Awards are supported by IMP Software, specialists in Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) budgeting and financial management software, which is in use within over 120 Trusts.

The winners were officially unveiled on The MAT Finance Awards’ social media platforms on 15th December.

An expert judging panel – comprising Confederation of School Trusts CEO Leora Cruddas, Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) CEO Stephen Morales, Dartmoor MAT CEO Dan Morrow, L.E.A.D Academy Trust Deputy CEO Bobby Thandi, Bishop Fleming Audit Partner and Head of Education Pam Tuckett, and IMP Software Co-Founder Will Jordan – reviewed nearly 100 nominations received.

The judging panel also chose the individual recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to MAT Finance award: Micon Metcalfe, CFO at The Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust.

IMP Software Co-Founder Will Jordan said: “It is exactly 12 months ago that we first had the idea to set up The MAT Finance Awards given the gap we perceived for MAT finance leaders, teams and wider Trust champions to be recognised and rewarded through such an awards scheme. We wanted individuals and teams to come forward with their nominations for our six award categories, and to hear from both unsung heroes as well as leading lights in the sector. We have been overwhelmed by the response and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for submitting such fantastic nominations, engaging with this project and helping to shine a light on the great work that is taking place within the sector. The judging process has been a really tough challenge, reviewing nearly 100 nominations and picking winners for each category, from a truly inspirational set of entries. Congratulations to all the winners, and all those highly commended runners up. Given the number of worthy nominations received, being shortlisted was also a terrific achievement.”
 
The MAT Finance Awards 2021 winners:
 
MAT Finance Leader of the Year: Judy Brinson, Director of Business and Finance, Truro & Penwith Academy Trust
 
Highly Commended runner-up: Helen Anderson, Director of Finance, Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust
 
MAT Finance Team of the Year: Boudica Schools Trust
 
Highly Commended runner-up: Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust
 
MAT Finance Champion of the Year: David Clayton, Chief Executive, Consilium Academies
 
MAT Finance Rising Star of the Year: Saffron Buckfield, Finance Apprentice, Leigh Academies Trust
 
MAT Finance Project of the Year: Trust-Wide Finance and Operating Model Transformation, led by Alex Duffety, Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust
 
Highly Commended runners-up: The New Way Forward, led by Mark Guest and Alexa Rendell, PolyMAT and Electronic Procure to Pay, led by James Rant, Red Kite Learning Trust
 
MAT Finance Education or Community Impact of the Year: Supporting Our Networks, led by Sue Prickett, SENDAT
 
Outstanding Contribution to MAT Finance: Micon Metcalfe, Chief Financial Officer, The Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust.