In our final #FinnemoreFireside of this term, Nick caught up with Jen Elliott & Andy Mackey, Co-owners of EPM Ltd, a company that has been shaping HR and payroll services in education for over 30 years.

It’s an interesting chat where Jen and Andy share insider insights on the biggest challenges facing education leaders today, including:

• The evolving role of HR in schools and trusts – With HR and payroll increasingly in the spotlight, more trusts and academies are rethinking their approach to workforce management. But what are they really looking for in a provider?

• From local authority to independent provider – The journey of EPM from its roots in Cambridgeshire local authority to a leading education services provider has been shaped by sector changes, school autonomy, and growing demand for tailored HR support.

• Scaling a people-first business – Growth in education services isn’t just about adding new schools; it’s about ensuring operational excellence, safeguarding reputation, and keeping customer service at the heart of expansion.

• Trusts, technology, and the best-of-breed debate – MATs are becoming more sophisticated buyers, but are they making the most of their systems? Many invest in high-end HR and payroll solutions but struggle with implementation—what’s the alternative?

• Data as the missing piece – Schools hold huge amounts of people data, but many don’t use it effectively. Benchmarking absence rates, tracking recruitment trends, and analysing retention patterns could transform decision-making—if only systems worked together.

• The rise of hybrid HR models – Schools are moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, blending in-house expertise with outsourced support. How can providers like EPM complement rather than compete with in-house HR teams?

• AI and automation: back-office game-changers – While AI won’t replace human HR expertise, it’s already helping providers streamline payroll, improve workforce planning, and reduce admin. But where should schools draw the line between automation and personal service?

• What’s next for EPM? – With an ambitious roadmap, a new integrated HR and payroll system launching soon, and shifting demands from schools, the next few years will be pivotal. The challenge? Staying agile, relevant, and ahead of the curve in an ever-changing sector.