Welcome from the CEO
Welcome to SIPS Education and thank you for your interest in our services.
We’re so proud to be the only not-for-profit education support services provider for Sandwell, the Black Country, the West Midlands and beyond.
As a co-operative, we’re 100% owned and governed by schools as members, and unlike many other providers to the sector, our focus isn’t about making money from the education system – it is centred on enriching children and young people’s learning and well-being through genuine partnerships with Schools, Academies and Trusts. We understand just how challenging school budgets can be, and we simply strive to cover our overheads in support of excellence of service, local employment, and affordable pricing.
We have almost 400 schools as members, with trusted services that include Music and Arts, Governance, IT, HR, Finance, Safety Management and Catering, which offers Schools and Trusts the ability to get the support they need when they need it – flexibly and affordably.
As a lean and efficient local organisation, we develop long-term , bespoke relationships and services on a School-by-School or Trust-by-Trust basis, each with oversight by a senior decision-maker from SIPS. We would be delighted to have a conversation about how we can support you to support your leaders and teachers, and free up capacity and money to focus on giving your students the very best education.
We appreciate your custom, support and membership which is essential to ensure that SIPS can continue to be a unique, schools-owned, democratic organisation – one which works hard to provide the best services for your school.
Meet the Team
Brian Cape,
Chief Executive Officer
Brian joined SIPS in January 2020 from Birmingham City Council, where he led Cityserve Education Catering, and was a member of the authority’s Extended Leadership Team including council-wide business partnering for commercial performance and innovation. Prior to this Brian was Head of Funding at the National Lottery Community Fund and enjoyed an earlier career as a senior leader in the banking and finance industry.
“I consider myself very lucky to be part of such an incredible co-operative. Being able to put children, people and communities at the heart of everything we do is a genuine privilege. As a not- for-profit, schools owned organisation, SIPS is the natural first choice for education services across Sandwell, the Black Country, and the West Midlands. Being governed directly by school leaders with no owners or shareholders demanding profits, means that we always aim to do the right thing whilst creating genuine social value.”
Kim Whiting,
Director responsible for People and Product
Kim, who has been with SIPS since its formation in 2013, oversees the product and service delivery teams working in partnership with the service managers within Governance, HR and Learning, IT, Music and Arts and Risk Management. In addition, she leads on SIPS People Strategy and Trade Union Consultation.
“I am incredibly proud to work for SIPS Education, I’m passionate about the work we do, and I believe that the support services we offer to schools are all of a high quality and designed with schools at the heart.
“We pride ourselves on strong effective partnerships and dedicated support for and with our schools; we are owned by our members who shape the services they want and provide our company with its strategic direction. I believe this ensures that we deliver and design quality services offering best value, that schools, customers and communities.”
Laura Hadley,
Director responsible for Catering and Corporate Risk Management
Laura was a member of the strategic team which set up SIPS from 2013, and has been a member of the SLT ever since. Organisationally, she leads on Catering, Safety Management, CSR and social value, and safeguarding. Laura is the SIPS DPO and also Company Secretary.
“I am incredibly proud of the organisation that we have created and which continues to evolve. As an organisation, I think we are very approachable, with a bunch of really great, friendly yet, professional staff, which builds trust. I’m proud of the enduring relationships we have built with our customers; I think people make an organisation, and we have some truly fab folks who make a real difference to the schools and communities we support.
“Long-standing priorities of the Catering service, have always been quality of the food, and looking after our staff and customer care. We pride ourselves in being responsive, always here for schools, and becoming an extended, trusted, part of their school community.”