Contact

Our Services

MAT Board Evaluation and specialist governance support are at the core of what Red Lodge Learning provides. Each service is designed to strengthen board effectiveness and support sound decision-making at critical moments.

MAT Board Evaluation

Outcome:

A detailed report with clear recommendations and a roadmap for strengthening governance.

Independent Board Evaluation for MATs

An objective external review of board effectiveness—identifying what works well and where improvement is needed.

What It Involves:

  • Scoping meeting with Chair, Senior Independent Director, and Chief Executive
  • Desk review of board papers, minutes, annual reports, and self-evaluation materials
  • Confidential 1:1 interviews with all trustees and members
  • Observation of board and committee meetings
  • Feedback presentation with actionable recommendations

Assessment Framework:

We evaluate boards across six dimensions:

  1. Purpose – How effectively the charitable mission and vision are delivered
  2. Strategic Leadership – How trustees set and champion vision, ethos, and strategy
  3. Accountability – How the board balances support, challenge, and scrutiny
  4. Integrity – How the board acts with integrity and creates appropriate culture
  5. People – How the board functions as an effective team with appropriate skills
  6. Decision Making – How the board ensures rigorous, informed, timely decisions

When It's Needed:

  • Before significant trust growth or restructuring
  • When concerns around governance arise
  • As part of routine self-assessment and improvement
  • To establish a benchmark for board development

Due Diligence for MAT Mergers

Comprehensive governance and operational assessment for trusts considering merger or partnership.

Mergers create opportunity, but they also create risk. Our due diligence process examines governance structures, financial health, educational performance, cultural alignment, and operational capacity to help boards make informed decisions about partnership.

What We Assess:

  • Board effectiveness and decision-making capacity
  • Financial sustainability and risk exposure
  • Educational performance and improvement trajectory
  • Cultural compatibility and values alignment
  • Operational infrastructure and systems
  • Legal and compliance considerations

Experience:

David Moran has led the largest MAT merger in the South West and conducted due diligence for multiple potential partnerships. He understands what makes mergers succeed—and what makes them fail.

Outcome:

A confidential report providing the board with the information needed to make sound decisions about merger or partnership.

Outcome:

Faster adjustment, greater confidence, and reduced risk during a critical leadership transition.

CEO Induction and ongoing Mentoring

Structured support for new chief executives navigating the transition into MAT leadership.

Leading a Multi Academy Trust is complex. New CEOs benefit from an experienced sounding board who understands the challenges of system leadership, board dynamics, and sector regulation.

What It Includes:

  • Confidential one-to-one mentoring sessions
  • Strategic thinking support during critical early decisions
  • Navigation of board relationships and trustee expectations
  • Insight into sector best practice and regulatory requirements
  • Support through key leadership challenges

Who It's For:

  • New CEOs in their first 12-18 months
  • Internal promotions stepping into system leadership
  • Experienced leaders new to the MAT context

Strategy Away Days and Facilitation

Expert facilitation that helps boards think clearly, debate openly, and reach sound strategic decisions.

Boards need time away from operational business to think strategically. We facilitate away days that create space for honest conversation, challenge assumptions, and produce actionable strategic plans.

Topics We Facilitate:

  • Vision, mission, and strategic direction
  • Growth strategy and partnership opportunities
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Board effectiveness and development planning
  • Succession planning
  • Educational vision and improvement priorities

Approach:

We design sessions around your board’s specific needs, using evidence and sector insight to inform discussion. We don’t impose templates—we help you think more clearly about your own context.

Outcome:

Strategic clarity, aligned trustees, and a plan the board owns.

Outcome:

Strengthened governance capacity when it matters most.

Risk Assessment and Non-Executive Support

Ongoing support for boards managing complex risk or requiring additional non-executive capacity.

Some trusts need sustained governance support beyond a one-off evaluation—whether managing a period of heightened risk, covering for trustee vacancies, or building internal governance capacity.

What We Provide:

  • Interim non-executive support
  • Risk register development and monitoring
  • Compliance and regulatory guidance
  • Board development coaching
  • Support with specific governance challenges

Who It's For:

  • Trusts in Ofsted or ESFA intervention
  • Boards managing leadership transitions
  • Growing trusts building governance infrastructure
  • Any board needing temporary specialist support

Ready to Strengthen Your Board’s Impact?

Discuss Your Governance Needs