In this episode of the ISBA Bursar Conversations, Ed Hellings shares an engaging, practical, and insightful perspective on leadership, finance, and decision-making across both corporate and educational landscapes. With a career that spans Deloitte, British Aerospace, and several prestigious schools, Ed offers a masterclass in simplifying complexity, building resilient school operations, and navigating difficult transitions with purpose and professionalism.

Whether you’re a new bursar, a school leader considering financial strategy, or simply someone interested in what it takes to run a school efficiently, Ed’s candid stories and thoughtful advice will leave you informed and inspired.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Simplify the Complex

The best leaders break down complicated issues into actionable parts — a skill essential for strategic finance and operational clarity.

✅ From Corporate to Classroom

Ed’s transition from BAE Systems to school bursar life proves that financial acumen and people skills matter more than sector-specific experience.

✅ Know When to Speak Up

Whether it’s forecasting losses or correcting flawed contracts, early transparency is critical. “Shout loud, shout early” is Ed’s golden rule.

✅ Growth Demands Strategic Caution

Plan for growth — but cautiously. Staff and invest only when you’re confident the demand will sustain itself.

✅ Challenge is a Good Thing

From governing bodies to internal staff, constructive questioning leads to better outcomes. Fear of asking “why” is often the root of poor decisions.

✅ Proprietary vs. Charity Structures

Ed contrasts how independent for-profit and charitable schools operate, especially around financial scrutiny, flexibility, and governance expectations.

✅ Resilience Over Perfection

Being a bursar can be lonely. Strong relationships with heads and governors are crucial — as is having thick skin and a sense of humor.

⏱️ Key Timestamps

[00:00:00] – The art of simplifying complexity in leadership

[00:02:00] – From audit to accountancy: Ed’s early career and management lessons

[00:05:30] – BAE Systems and learning to lead under pressure

[00:08:30] – The importance of shouting early about financial red flags

[00:09:55] – Avoiding paralysis: don’t let complexity block action

[00:11:30] – Agility over avoidance in crisis decisions like TPS

[00:14:00] – Advice for managing growing schools: plan cautiously

[00:16:30] – Small changes, big returns: the cost of an extra student

[00:18:00] – Balancing educational passion with financial sustainability

[00:21:30] – Teaching heads financial awareness — one conversation at a time

[00:23:45] – Governance dynamics: head–bursar–governor stool analogy

[00:25:00] – Loneliness in leadership and how to handle it

[00:28:00] – The hidden flaws of yearly fee increases

[00:30:30] – Weighing experience vs. cost in staffing decisions

[00:32:00] – Is 15 years too long to stay in one school? Reinvention vs. burnout

[00:34:00] – Queen Anne’s, St Mary’s Calne, and now The Marist: structural differences

[00:36:00] – How proprietary schools deal with compliance, like minibus regs

[00:38:00] – Monthly finance reviews: corporate-style school oversight

[00:40:00] – Embracing accountability and direct challenge

[00:43:30] – Outsourcing realities post-VAT changes

[00:46:45] – The next 2 years: closures, mergers, and for-profit transitions

[00:49:00] – Brave thinking: structure shake-ups and daring moves

[00:52:00] – TPS: revolution vs. evolution in decision-making

[00:53:30] – Bums on seats: enrollment drives everything

Connect Our Guest on:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-hellings-9563162/

Website: https://www.themarist.com/ 

Connect Our Guest on:

👉 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-hellings-9563162/

👉 Website: https://www.themarist.com/

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📢 Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational and professional insight purposes only. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.