Gareth Kyle

Academy Business Leader @Cedars Academy Trust

Gateshead, GB

As part of the Senior Leadership Team at Cedars Academy Trust, I provide strategic and operational leadership across Finance, HR, Estates, IT, Procurement, and Administration. I ensure the Trust is sustainable, compliant, and equipped with the systems and infrastructure to deliver its long-term educational priorities.Key projects and responsibilities include:Finance: leading multi-year financial planning, budget setting, and reporting to governors and senior leadersEstates: contributing to capital projects and estate development, including playing a key role in the successful relocation and renovation of our KS4/5 site into a former primary school under challenging timescalesProcurement: drafting contracts, running compliant tenders/ITQs, and negotiating terms across major projects including car park works, ICT equipment, print contracts, and catering servicesHR & Administration: implementing new systems to digitise HR, staff absence management, expenses, and onboarding; designing induction programs and tracking to support new staff integrationIT & Digital: creating a rolling replacement plan, upgrading asset management and tracking, leading a large project to meet DfE Digital Standards, and embedding streamlined workflowsPolicy & Process: modernising leave policies, centralising staff absence management, and designing procedures to reduce key-person dependencies and enable effective handover and trainingGovernance & Compliance: strengthening accountability through risk registers, dashboards, and transparent reporting for SLT and governorsI combine strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, driving forward the projects, systems, and processes that enable the Trust to operate effectively and provide the best possible environment for staff and pupils.