Andrew Blench has over 30 years of experience in education, finance, health care, and the public sector. He is currently seeking interim or consultancy roles as a School Business Manager in South and West Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Notts, and Manchester.
His most recent role was as School Business Manager for the Learner Engagement Achievement Partnership Multi Academy Trust, where he oversaw financial management, facilities management, health and safety, marketing and communications, and more. Key achievements included successful academy conversion, balanced budgets despite funding cuts, and securing over £800,000 in capital grants.
He has qualifications in business, marketing, health and safety, and school business management.
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Curriculum Vitae: Andrew Howard Blench
2 Moorthorpe View, Owlthorpe, Sheffield, S20 6QE
Tel: Home 0114 2489345, Work: 01909 552411, Mobile: 07983 396029
Email: AndrewBlench@talktalk.net
Personal Profile
Operations Manager with over 30 years’ experience in education, finance, health care & public sector.
Passionate about making a difference to people’s lives through organisational improvement. Committed to
continuous professionaldevelopment. Now seeking School Business Management Interim and /or
consultancy roles in South &West Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Notts, Manchester& Peak District
Key Skills
Operational Management * Strategic Planning * Financial Management * Human Resources
Management * Marketing & Communication * Health & Safety * ICT Infrastructure * Facilities
Management * Continuity & Emergency Planning * Quality Assurance * Academy conversion
Work History
School Business Manager – Learner Engagement Achievement Partnership (L.E.A.P.) Multi Academy
Trust, Working at - Dinnington High School, 1st February 2010 to present
Key Responsibilities:-
Whole schoolresponsibility for:-
Financial Management – budget setting,5 year budget plan, audit, contract tendering/monitoring
Support Staffing – Line management of up to 40 staff, annual appraisals/target setting,CPD,
formal meetings (sickness absence,investigatory meetings, disciplinary, grievance, capability),
recruitment & selection
Facilities Management – creation & maintaining 3 year asset management plan, ensuring effective
reactive and programmed maintenance arrangements are in place, ensuring schoolcomplies with
regulatory requirements e.g. management of asbestos,fire safety,legionella control
Health & Safety – competent person,advising staff/parents/governors,drafting risk
assessments/policies/procedures,monitoring accidents,ensuring compliance with policies
Security – ensuring effective measures are in place for data and physical security
Communications & Marketing – creation & implementation of schoolmarketing plan
Administration – ensuring school has an effective administration function
Extended Services – delivering services beyond the schoolday e.g. holiday/after schoolclubs,
adult learning, community engagement
ICT Infrastructure – ensuring there is a 3 year ICT plan and that hardware and infrastructure meets
the needs of teaching & learning
Business Continuity & Emergency Planning – ensuring effective plans are in place & updated
regularly
Governance – supporting the governing body with advice, attendance at 3 regular committees,
attendance at Multi Academy Trust Board Meetings and Audit Sub Committee
Key Achievements:-
Successfulimplementation of academy conversion and formation of Multi Academy Trust in
February 2015
Achieving a balanced budget for the last 6 years despite declining levels of government funding
and reduced pupil numbers
Pupil Premium Award 2015
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Lead on the successfulbids to the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) and Local Authority
Capital Funds realising over £800,000 capital grants towards facilities improvements
Supported the creation of KS3 Inclusion Centre/Community Learning Centre
Supported creation of full site wireless access
Lead on the introduction of Bring Your Own Device to staff and 6th Form Students
Lead on the Creation of ‘paper less school’with full online communications between schooland
parents/students/community
Exams and Cover Manager, Sheffield City Council, Abbeydale Grange School, 17th August 2009 to 31st
January 2010
– External & internal exams. Managed cover for planned & emergency teacher absence,line management
of three cover supervisors. Co-ordination of work experience. School Educational Visits Co-ordinator.
Regional Head of Operations, NHS Direct, Yorkshire and the Humber, 14th May 2007 to August 2009
– Responsible for the operational delivery of a telephone based nurse-lead health service in the Y&H
region. Including achievement of KPIs, Financial management, Facilities & Health & Safety, Recruitment,
Induction, Training, Clinical Governance.
Senior Manager – Business Services: United Learning Trust, Sheffield Central Team. 1st August 2006 to
9th May 2007
With responsibility for the management of Budgets, Estates,Health & Safety, Catering, HR
Administration, and Support Staff for two newly created City Academies in Sheffield.
Business Manager, Sheffield City Council, Waltheof School. 24th June 2004 to 31st July 2006
With responsibility for Budget Management, Estates Management, Health & Safety, Timetable Disruption,
Catering and Support Staff for Inner City Secondary School.
Registry Manager – Head Office, Sheffield College, April 2003 to 23rd June 2004
Management of the processing of student data for the tertiary college.
Operations Manager – E commerce support - Sheffield, Abbey National plc, May 1998 to April 2003
Managing a centre giving technical support to customers accessing the bank’s internet related products.
Employment Service. A government department, part of the Department for Work & Pensions.3 July 1978
to May 1998
During this period I held a variety of positions at middle management level.
Qualifications
Degree in Biblical Studies (1994). Chartered Institute of Marketing – Marketing Certificate (2004)
A Levels in English and Economics. 7 O Levels including Maths and English
National Computer College (N.C.C.) certificate in ‘Web Site Design & Maintenance’ (2002)
British Safety Council – Health and Safety for Directors and Senior Management (2007)
National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health (N.E.B.O.S.H.) Level 3 General Certificate
in Health and Safety (2010) NEBOSH Level 3 Fire Safety and Risk Management (2014)
Diploma in School Business Management (2013)
Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (C.I.P.D.) Professional Development Programme