Who We Are
The Centre for Education Operational Excellence (CEOE) brings together expertise, insight and innovation to help schools and trusts operate at their very best. We exist to strengthen the operational foundations of education – ensuring leadership, governance and professional practice enable educational excellence for children and young people.
CEOE operates through an interconnected model built around four core hubs:
ISBL: continuing its role as a professional body with an ongoing commitment to high-quality professional standards and development by delivering the high-quality, cutting-edge professional development offer that members know and value.
Solutions Hub: delivering practical, high-impact support and services, including its Operational Excellence Framework and diagnostic model, that help schools and trusts identify strengths, prioritise improvement and access tailored support. This hub also brings together a network of trusted partners, ensuring access to specialist expertise where it is needed most.
Research Hub: generating robust, evidence-based insights to inform best practice, shape policy thinking, and drive innovation in education operations.
International Hub: extending our reach globally, enabling knowledge exchange and collaboration to raise operational standards across education systems worldwide.
Welcome from the CEO
As CEO, I am proud to welcome you to the Centre for Education Operational Excellence (CEOE).
Our story is rooted in the legacy of the Institute of School Business Leadership, established in 2017. That achievement was built on decades of dedication from school business leaders and their predecessors, bursars, whose commitment helped secure its recognition as a national institute. We also stand on the shoulders of key partners and professional bodies, including the National Bursars Association (NBA), the National Association of School Business Management (NASBM), the National College, and our international counterparts at ASBO International and Deakin University, Australia.
As you explore this new website, you will see how far our reach has extended and how our work now supports an increasingly complex education system. Our role has evolved, but our purpose remains clear: to serve and strengthen the operational leadership that underpins educational success.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those who have come before us, those who were committed to developing the capability of practitioners and advancing the profession. Their contribution has shaped where we are today.
CEOE does not mark the end of an era, but the beginning of a new chapter. We look forward to building on this strong foundation and continuing to support excellence in education operations for years to come.
News and Thought Leadership
Explore the latest news, insights and thinking from the Centre for Education Operational Excellence, alongside research, commentary and perspectives from across the wider education sector.
From emerging challenges and new ideas to practical approaches, research and expert opinion, discover insights that inform, challenge and inspire those working to improve education systems and outcomes.
Make an Enquiry
Let’s start the conversation.
Whether you're looking to enhance operational effectiveness, develop leadership capability, explore research, or learn more about CEOE events and initiatives, we'd be delighted to hear from you. Simply Make an Enquiry and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your needs and connect you to the most relevant support and resources. No obligation and no sales pressure.