ISBA BURSARCAST // Smarter Spend, Safer Schools: Procurement Wins and Key Compliance Updates ft. Paul Wright (27th June, 2025)

In this episode of The Bursarcast, we’ve got the latest sector updates every independent school bursar should know — from board elections and VAT tweaks to asbestos rules, data law changes, and a new part-time role at the ISBA.

🧠 Guest Spotlight: Smarter School Procurement
Are you getting value from your suppliers, or just getting by?

Procurement expert Paul Wright joins us to break down how schools can stretch budgets further, especially on catering. He shares real insights on benchmarking, contract pitfalls, and using data to get better deals without cutting corners.

🎯 What we cover:

• Where schools overspend (and how to fix it)
• Why Catering Contracts Go Wrong
• How benchmarking drives better supplier value
• Simple steps to boost procurement strategy

📌 Also this week:

• ISBA Board election results & 2025–26 leadership
• Compulsory ID checks coming to Companies House
• The new Data (Use and Access) Act – and what it means for GDPR
• Asbestos compliance – key duties and a cautionary case study
• ISBA is hiring – part-time advisory role now open
• ISC’s Celebrating Partnerships booklet – entries now open
• VAT CGS threshold changes – what’s coming and when
• TPS planning support – new webinars & updates

Whether you’re focused on compliance, contracts, or cutting costs, this episode’s got what you need to stay ahead.

Find more from Quenelles here 

Contact the podcast at podcast@theisba.org.uk
Tune in to the ISBA Bursarcast Podcast for a comprehensive exploration of the latest in independent school finance, legal developments, and their direct relevance to UK-based institutions.

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The ISBA Bursarcast is a RAFIKI STUDIO production