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As if by clockwork, another year has passed and BESA Summer Insight Day 2019 has commenced! The day was full of inspired thoughts and feelings about everything education and welcomed so many fantastic speakers and BESA member companies to join for a jolly day of debates, panels and more.

As the day began in the midst of a beautiful summer’s day, the calmness of the agenda was not disturbed by nearby scenes of political drama at the Old Bailey.

The day was hosted at the incomparable Stationers’ Hall, a grand residence well suited for such a grand occasion.

All attendees – and BESA staff- were eager to begin the day.

This year we had the honour of being so graciously hosted by BESA’s own Yasmin Barnett, Deputy Head of Events.

We were then treated to a little bit of history from Philip Walters of EdComs and Impero Software who kicked off the day’s events explaining the heritage of the Stationers’ Company. 

Our opening keynote speaker was the brilliant Dr. Ger Graus OBE, Global Director of Education for Kidzania who mesmerised the crowd with his insightful words and video message on helping children to grow and flourish in their specially tailored ‘cities’ for kids.

Next our member companies were educated on how to best engage with schools and other useful facts and statistics from Jason Gauld, Managing Director of The Education Company Ltd.

A first for BESA! As we launched our new Women in Education Suppliers Working Group with a panel led by Jane Mann, Director of Education Reform, Cambridge University Press, accompanied by several other amazing women on what a 21st century workforce should look like.

As all enjoyed a well-earned coffee break and the fruitful discussions sunk in, there were not only exciting things happening within Stationers’ Hall, but the cricket seemed to be going well for England that day, too…

Our second Keynote speaker, author of ‘Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me’ Kate Clanchy, then touched the crowd with a personal story of one of her young students and their experiences at school and in life.

Our last panel discussion of the day was on the topic of key procurement issues faced by schools chaired by none other than Philip Collie, Founder of Schoolzone. The panel was filled with school leaders ready to share their own knowledge and insight with the crowd.

For our closing Keynote we had the honour of hearing Lord Watson of Invergowrie speak on the future of education in the UK with a Q&A to follow and an insight into Labour’s plans for a National Education Service.

To top all of that off, everyone was greeted outside in the beautiful gardens of Stationers Hall, sun shining, food at the ready for a lunch and afternoon of networking.

Thanks to the fantastic events team at BESA, the day was a great success. Full of fruitful conversations, making connections and the challenging of ideas. Thank you to all who attended and made the day such a success, we look forward to seeing you again in 2020!

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