Time to Talk (FD/CFO only): Radical collaboration in HE - with KPMG and Mills & Reeve

Time to Talk: Radical collaboration in HE - with KPMG and Mills & Reeve (FD/CFO only)

Monday 10 November 2025

10:00 - 11:00 (the session may be extended slightly should the Q&A require it)

(Please note this session is for CFOs/FDs only, and will not be recorded)

KPMG and Mills & Reeve’s ‘Radical Collaboration’ report launched late in the Summer. It takes the theoretical and translates to the practical by detailing the many structural possibilities open to higher education providers - using case-studies and examples to illustrate models and their outcomes. In this session KPMG and M&R colleagues will walk us through the main features of the report; including highlighting ‘how to get started’ in order to overcome some of the initial hurdles executives face in effecting change across their institutions. They will explore the reception to the report as well as what the next steps might be. As usual the session is interactive and audience questions and discussion is strongly encouraged.

SPEAKERS BIOGRAPHIES

Matthew Howling, Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP

Matthew is a specialist in finance law for the education sector. In a career spanning over two decades, he has acted for over 100 education entities and has advised major clearing banks on lending to the higher education sector. Matthew has been at the forefront of advising universities on bond issues, private placements and bank facilities. He heads-up the Mills & Reeve taskforce on university financial resilience, speaking on this topic at events organised by, among others, Universities UK, the Association of University Directors of Estates, and the Committee of University Chairs. Matthew has written on university financial sustainability for, among others, Wonkhe and HEPI and is a joint author on the Mills & Reve report with KPMG on Radical Collaboration in the sector.

Sam Sanders, Partner, Head of Education, Skills and Productivity – KPMG

Sam is Head of Education, Skills and Productivity at KPMG UK. He has over 20 years’ experience of working with high profile public sectors clients, delivering large scale organisational redesign, merger, financial sustainability, operational improvement, core systems replacement and change management projects.

The work that Sam and his team are currently delivering, in partnership with a broad range of UK universities, is helping these important institutions survive and thrive in an ever-changing and increasingly competitive environment. Not surprisingly, given the current challenges facing the sector, much of this work is focused on helping HEIs achieve long-term financially sustainability whilst safeguarding provision.

If you have a query regarding your booking, please contact events@bufdg.ac.uk