Our team attended the Confederation of Schools Trust (CST) Operations and Finance Conference 2026 last Thursday 5 February, where they joined Trust leaders from across the country to explore what it really means to ‘take the long view’.
With a strong focus on clarity, resilience and purpose, this year’s conference theme – Taking the Long View – closely aligned with the challenges we see trusts grappling with every day, from long-term financial sustainability to operational planning that supports both people and performance.
A timely conversation for Trust leaders
Across the sector, Trust leaders are being asked to make decisions that won’t just solve today’s pressures, but will stand up to tomorrow’s uncertainties. The CST conference provided a space to step back from the immediate and focus on building operational and financial models that are robust, adaptable and future-focused.
These are exactly the conversations we’re having with schools and Trusts across the UK:
- How do you plan sustainably in an environment of constant change?
- What does good long-term operational strategy actually look like in practice?
- And how can trusts balance financial rigour with educational ambition?
Meeting the Litmus team
Our education specialists were on hand at our stand, speaking with delegates about the realities of long-term planning and how trusts can build confidence in their decision-making.
Our Litmus team included Joe Parfitt, Consultancy Director, Mike Neales, Non-Executive Director, and Lucy Gittins, Consultant.
On stage: long-term planning in practice
A key highlight of the day saw Litmus’ Joe Parfitt taking to the conference stage alongside Jacqueline Bircham, CEO of ASSET Education. Together, they shared real-world perspectives on navigating long-term operational and financial planning, drawing on lived experience from within Trusts. The session focused on moving beyond short-term fixes and towards strategies that genuinely support resilience, growth and clarity of purpose over time.
Continuing the conversation
If you attended the conference and didn’t get a chance to speak with the team – or you’d like to continue the conversation about long-term planning for your Trust – we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to get in touch here.
The Litmus team
