In this episode of The MAT Unpacked, host Ed Nell is joined by regular co-host Chris Whiting from Academy Advisory, alongside returning guests Hugh Greenway and Simon Pink from The Elliot Foundation.
The discussion focuses on one of the most misunderstood topics in trust leadership: risk management. Rather than treating risk as a bureaucratic exercise or a document that sits untouched for most of the year, the conversation explores how effective trusts embed risk thinking into everyday management.
From the dangers of performative risk registers to the importance of relationships, transparency and context, Hugh and Simon explain how risk should be treated as a living, evolving process rather than a compliance task.
Key Takeaways
Risk management is just good management.
Rather than treating risk as a separate activity, effective trusts integrate risk thinking into day-to-day leadership decisions and operational conversations.
Multiple perspectives strengthen risk insight.
Capturing risks from different directorates, schools and stakeholders creates a more realistic picture of organisational challenges.
Trustees use risk to ask better questions.
A strong risk register provides a framework for governance conversations, helping trustees explore data, challenge assumptions and understand underlying issues.
Data and relationships must work together.
Dashboards and metrics provide signals, but meaningful insight comes from conversations with school leaders and staff.
Start small and improve iteratively.
Risk management doesn’t need to be perfect. The goal is continual improvement and better understanding over time.
Key Moments
“Risk management isn’t something separate – it’s just management.”
“If risk is done for the auditors rather than the organisation, it becomes performative.”
“A real risk register shouldn’t look perfect – it should look live.”
“You need data, but you also need relationships and context to understand it.”
“If you don’t know where you are, don’t make any decisions.”
About The MAT Unpacked
The MAT Unpacked explores what effective leadership and governance look like inside Multi Academy Trusts.
Hosted by Ed Nell and featuring regular co-host Chris Whiting from Academy Advisory, each episode brings together trust leaders and sector specialists to share practical insights, real experiences and lessons learned from across the education sector.
The aim is simple: to open up conversations about how trusts can operate more effectively and ultimately improve outcomes for learners.
How to Get in Touch
To learn more about Academy Advisory or connect with the team:
Website: https://academyadvisory.com
LinkedIn: Academy Advisory
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