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Balancing Cost Pressures and Sustainability in School Procurement
When
Tuesday, 2 June 11:00am - 12:00pmWhere
OnlinePrice
Free for BESA Members, £50 for Non-MembersSchools are navigating tight budgets while also being encouraged to adopt more sustainable practices.
As schools face increasing financial pressure alongside growing expectations around sustainability, procurement decisions are becoming more complex. This webinar explores how sustainability and cost‑efficiency can work together in practice, drawing on real examples from the Osborne Co‑operative Academy Trust to show how informed choices can deliver long‑term value without increasing cost.
What you’ll leave with:
We want every attendee to leave with clearer understanding, practical insight, and confidence when considering sustainability within procurement decisions.
Cost and sustainability insight: A clearer understanding of how sustainable products and practices can reduce long‑term operating costs.
Real‑world examples: Practical case examples from Osborne Co‑operative Academy Trust showing sustainability in action.
Across trusts and school groups: What to consider when rolling out sustainable procurement approaches beyond a single school.
Informed decision‑making: Greater confidence in balancing financial pressures with sustainability goals when planning procurement.
Who is the webinar for:
This session is designed for those involved in school procurement, budgeting, and sustainability who want practical insight into how cost pressures and environmental responsibility can be balanced.
- BESA members supplying products or services to schools and trusts
- Commercial, sales, and account management teams working with schools
- Sustainability, product, or operations leads within member organisations
- Members interested in how schools are approaching sustainable procurement in practice
- Anyone involved in shaping supplier responses to cost and sustainability challenges in education
If you want more clarity before taking your next step into sustainable and cost‑effective school procurement, this webinar is for you.
Speakers
Dave Smith, Director of Procurement and Trust-wide Projects, Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust
Dave has over 35 years of experience in education. As Director of Procurement and Trust-wide Projects at Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, he oversees the procurement strategy, supports IT strategy and monitors operations, and provides leadership in governance and GDPR. Previously, as Head of Partnerships and Events at BESA, he coordinated event programs and facilitating partnerships, including attending Bett Asia and Bett Brasil. With over 20 years in computing, education technology, and online safety, Dave worked as a teacher and senior leader, providing quality assurance and leading Traded Services for Havering Education Services. He contributed to the award-winning ‘Switched on Computing’ series and the Department for Education’s Workload Reduction Toolkit. Dave served on the Bett Advisory Group. He was Chair of the Board of Management of Naace and judged the Bett and Education Resources Awards. Dave has worked in Japan, the USA, the Middle East, Brazil, Thailand, and Europe. He has been a teacher/senior leader in three schools, is currently a Chair of Governors and Chair of Members in two MATs and a local authority school, and has been a governor of four other schools. He is a qualified coach and has worked in marketing and ICT training at Anglia Ruskin University.
To ask any questions, please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk.
Will it be recorded?
Yes, the webinar will be recorded. If you register, you’ll receive a link to the recording once it is processed, so you can watch it at your convenience.
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.
