Energy Costs Are Crushing Schools – Here’s the Smarter Solution

Reading Time: < 1 minute

In this latest episode of Developing the Trust, Tim Warnerford and James Smurthwaite discuss the launch of Warner Consulting’s Energy Consortium for 2026 — a practical, compliant and delivery-focused approach to energy strategy for academy trusts.

Schools are facing increasing pressure from rising energy costs, ageing estates, carbon reduction expectations and growing procurement complexity. At the same time, funding routes are evolving and compliance requirements under the Procurement Act 2023 and the Academy Trust Handbook remain critical.

This episode explores how the Energy Consortium brings everything together into one trusted ecosystem — simplifying procurement, reducing risk and focusing on measurable return on investment.