About Us

Brian Cape, Chief Executive Officer

Brian joined SIPS in January 2020 from Birmingham City Council, where he was Head of Service at Cityserve Education Catering, and a member of the council’s Extended Leadership Team, including council-wide business partnering for commercial performance and innovation.

“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 I 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, Strategic Director responsible for People and Product

Kim, who has worked at 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 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.”

Craig Felton, Strategic Director responsible for Finance and Resourcing

Craig has worked for SIPS since its formation in 2013. He oversees all of the financial functions of the business, leading on financial vision and strategy; sustainability; contracts and procurement, and risk management. Craig is also the Company Secretary with responsibility for corporate governance and compliance.

In addition, he leads the Schools Financial Services Team.

“I have worked for SIPS since its inception in 2013 and am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and the value that’s been added to the schools and communities that we serve.

“As a not-for-profit organisation, I believe that, working with our members, we are able to deliver high-quality support services to schools, and other educational establishments, that both meets their needs and offers great value for money.”

Laura Hadley, Strategic 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 CSR and social value, safeguarding, risk management and acting as the organisations DPO. Most recently, she has taken on the lead for SIPS’ food service provision. 

“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 the schools, and becoming an extended, and trusted, part of their school community.”