Sue Edwards, Managing Director
Sue Edwards leads the group and retired from her role as Director of Business & Finance at Ripley St Thomas CE Academy in August 2016 to enable more time for LASBM and to improve her work-life balance. She served as a NASBM Trustee from 2009 to 2015. Following six years’ service in the RAF in Personnel and Finance, Sue was a pub landlady and self-employed driving instructor before working in education. She has worked in four secondary schools for over 23 years, and was the school business manager in her last three schools. Her qualifications include DSBM, HNC Business and CIPFA Certificate in Financial Reporting for Academies. Sue has enjoyed helping to raise the profile of the SBM during her time in education and is always happy to share best practice and assist colleagues, particularly new entrants to the profession.
Sally Edwards, Operations Director
Sally spent 10 years working in schools across all phases, mostly working with children with special educational needs and challenging behaviour. She led the implementation of whole-school strategies, collaborating with colleagues at all levels in an education setting.
Sally has extensive experience in marketing and events management, having held roles in the private sector as a marketing manager, and in the public sector. In her role at a government department, she supported business leaders from a range of sectors including financial services, to gain skills and grow their businesses through events and networking.
Her background in a support function and in the public sector means Sally is attuned to the types of challenges faced by SBMs and to their needs, and she enjoys supporting others to succeed and grow.
Sally has a First Class Honours degree in Business Management, and an MBA from the University of Huddersfield.
LASBM Committee
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Maggie Duncan
I am a Executive Business Manager in a large Multi-Academy Trust, where I oversee all the business functions of three secondary schools in Lancashire. I have worked in Primary and Secondary phases including being the Business Manager for a Teaching School. At home I am a mum of two and spend most of my time at the side of a football pitch, swimming pool, dance class or MMA class.
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Rebecca Cunliffe
I have worked in schools for 17 years, firstly as a Site Supervisor, then Teaching Assistant, Office Assistant and finally School Business Manager. I have been in this role for the last 14 years. I have a wealth of experience in Primary Schools and enjoy the variety that the role brings.
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Vicki Newsome
I have been working in education since 2017, after a 20+ year career in marketing. I have been SBM at Burscough Village Primary School since 2019 and recently completed a management and leadership degree (CMDA) with first class honours. I joined the committee in 2021 and look forward to working with the team and representing the primary maintained sector.
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Brad Smith
I have worked in Education since leaving high school 10 years ago. I started as a Teaching Assistant, then worked as an Admin Assistant before I came into my current role as a Bursar in 2020. I have my Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers and want to continue my qualifications. I have joined the committee to be able to support LASBM to raise the profile of School Business Professionals and to be able to create links between other people in the same profession. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and going on day trips with my other half and our son.