About us
Warneford Consulting provides estate strategy services to academies and schools across England. We specialise in estate, energy, and bid management strategies, producing bespoke CIF funding submissions and securing zero capex and opex for renewable energy solutions.
We also work with Trusts on their income generation and building surveys, leading on, managing, and working closely with our trusted network or independent estate strategy specialists.
Meet the Team
Tim Warneford MCIOB,
Partner
With degrees in both social sciences and building surveying, Tim has always been focused on the causal links between a fit for purpose environment and an individual achieving their potential. Having previously worked client-side within the social housing sector delivering high-volume maintenance programmes and later for Blue Chip companies installing energy efficiency schemes across the UK, Tim is ideally positioned to provide strategic estate, energy and funding services to academy trusts of all sizes.
He is a regular presenter at sector conferences, writes for TES and Schools Week, comments for the BBC, and Sky News on issues relating to the school estate and the route to decarbonisation. He also produces the topical Developing the Trust podcast series, which has now had over 10,000 listeners/viewers.
James Smurthwaite,
Partner
James is a sustainability-focused engineer and consultant with over 15 years of experience in building services. Since graduating in Mechanical Engineering in 2007, he’s worked across industrial cooling, heat pump adoption, and corporate decarbonisation—developing strong technical expertise and a clear mission: to accelerate the shift to low-carbon, energy-efficient buildings.
As a Partner at Warneford Consulting and previous founder of Green Net Zero, James leads on energy and carbon reduction, with a particular focus on the education sector. His work helps schools secure funding, improve energy performance, and reduce emissions, creating more sustainable and resilient estates.
Claire Kershaw,
Director
Claire provides a range of strategic estate and bid management advice to the team. With over 20 years experience working for first-tier contractors across the housing and utilities sectors, Claire’s reputation as one of the best and most successful bid managers is evidenced by Warneford Consulting’s highly successful bid award conversion rate.
Steve Page,
Consultant, Immortalis, Data, Cost and Procurement Management
With significant construction industry experience, Steve provides a data-driven service that accesses sector cost data analysis support and a quality assurance process for tendering and procurement that complies with all client requirements.
Kevin Yardley,
Consultant, Acquiesce Solutions
Kevin has most recently transformed the income generation and facilities model in education having developed the business activities of a financially struggling multi-academy trust from a zero base to become the industry leader in that field. He has pioneered innovative funding models to deliver new build facilities for schools on operating leases. Coupled with commercial partnerships, these buildings then deliver a net positive financial contribution to the host school.
Gary Pleece,
Bear Creative
Bear Creative is a full-service digital marketing agency with a network of designers, programmers, SEO specialists, content creators, and strategists delivering big ideas for your business. Tim works closely with the team, but specifically Gary Pleece on marketing and PR strategy.
Other Associates
Over the years, Warneford Consulting has amassed a network of talented, trusted associates with whom we work regularly. This includes:
- Chartered Surveyors
- Structural Engineers
- M&E Consultants
- Fire Safety Consultants
- Health & Safety Consultants
- PFI Consultants
- Energy Procurement Consultants
Video Testimonials
See Also
