Autumn Town Hall
When
Thursday, 17 September 11:00am - 12:00pmWhere
OnlinePrice
Member Only Event | Free for MembersBESA’s quarterly Town Hall brings members together for a clear, consistent update on the sector, policy activity, and upcoming opportunities. Each session follows the same standing agenda to support continuity, transparency, and meaningful member input.
Who should attend?
All members are encouraged to join, particularly those with an interest in policy, market insight, and shaping the association’s priorities.
Upcoming Dates
Agenda
11:00am
Welcome and Purpose of the Town Hall
The Chair will open the session with a welcome, outline the agenda for the hour, and provide a short recap of the previous quarter’s priorities and progress.
11:02am
Sector Landscape: Barometer Overview
Providing a high-level view of the current landscape for educational suppliers, covering key market and sector trends, relevant government announcements affecting education and procurement, and, where appropriate, a brief snapshot of international opportunities.
11:17am
Lobbying, Policy and Government Relations
Members will receive an update on current advocacy activity and political developments, including policy workstreams, lobbying activity, engagement with the Department for Education, open consultations, and any legislative or regulatory changes affecting the sector, alongside an overview of upcoming cross-industry working groups and a short, focused Q&A.
11:37am
Upcoming Events, Programmes and Opportunities
Highlighting key upcoming events and opportunities, such as major industry events, training and continuing professional development, working groups or committees open to new members, and relevant funding or research initiatives.
11:39am
Open Forum and Member Feedback
A guided but informal discussion giving members the opportunity to raise questions, share policy or lobbying priorities they would like escalated, highlight common challenges or emerging issues across the supplier community, and suggest future events, research, or support, with live polls used where appropriate.
11:59am
Any Other Business
The session will close with any additional member announcements, brief internal or administrative updates, and a reminder of the date of the next Town Hall
Speakers
Caroline Wright, Director General, BESA
Caroline had a distinguished career in the UK Civil Service prior to joining BESA in 2012, leading communications teams at the Department for Education, Ofsted, Partnerships for Schools, Cabinet Office, and the Department of Trade and Industry. Caroline is actively involved in various government and sector advisory boards and has received numerous accolades, including Education Investor’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Education’ award. Caroline is a frequent contributor to charitable educational activities, reflecting her commitment to the education sector.

Peter Doyle, Head of Policy & Research, BESA
Peter represents the interests of BESA members to parliamentarians and officials across Government departments, working on various policy issues across the association. His passion for the education sector developed while working for a BESA member, where he contributed to the development and implementation of EdTech products and curricula for the Primary Sector. In addition to his professional work, Peter volunteers as a Governor at a federation of local primary schools in East London.

To ask any questions, please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk.
Will it be recorded?
Yes, the webinar will be recorded but for internal meeting minutes. The recording will not be shared afterwards.
Will the slides be shared afterwards?
Yes, the slides will be shared after the webinar. Registered attendees will receive a copy via email following the session.
What software is the webinar hosted on?
The webinar will be hosted on Zoom. Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link and joining instructions.
Can I ask questions during the webinar?
Yes! Attendees can ask questions via the chat or Q&A function. If you prefer, you can also submit questions anonymously through the Q&A feature.