The successful launch of Four Hills Education Trust in September 2025 is a direct result of the outstanding support and guidance provided by Jeff Marshall and his team at J&G Marshall. From the earliest stages of planning through to the official opening, their expertise in academy conversion and trust establishment has been invaluable. Quite simply, without Jeff and his team, we would not have been able to launch the trust as smoothly or as successfully as we did. J&G Marshall’s philosophy of seeing the process from the perspective of schools rather than policy makers was evident throughout our journey. Their ability to handle the complexities of conversion, while allowing us to remain focused on educational outcomes, meant that we could concentrate on our pupils and staff, confident that the technical and regulatory aspects were in safe hands. Jeff’s insights and practical advice ensured that we completed our first DfE audit within the very first term with ease, a milestone that speaks volumes about the thorough preparation and strategic guidance we received. Alongside this, I undertook the Becoming the CEO professional development programme through Marshall Professional Development. This accredited, modular programme provided me with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to step into the CEO role effectively. Its focus on practical rather than theoretical learning, designed in collaboration with experienced CEOs, gave me the tools I needed to lead our trust with assurance from day one. Now that the trust is established, Jeff’s ongoing support continues to be instrumental. His team’s experience in governance reviews, MAT growth audits, and strategic planning is helping us strengthen our governance structures and shape our growth strategy for the future. Jeff himself is personable, approachable, and fully invested in the success of those he works with. His commitment goes far beyond consultancy, it feels like a genuine partnership, with our trust’s success as his priority.
Kirsty Osman, CEO of Four HIlls Education Trust
