Paul Fong – Planning Partner
Paul is a Chartered Town Planner and has spent his professional career managing and negotiating planning consents for major development projects for educational and other uses. Paul has wide experience of providing feasibility studies and land use masterplans which identify development opportunities within existing school grounds, as well as preparing and submitting planning applications and appeals for new facilities and associated developments. Paul is well versed in educational requirements and has recently worked with Wycliffe College, Westonbirt School, Cheltenham College and Malvern St James.
Stephen Flanagan - Schools Liaison Partner
After leaving the MOD, Stephen cut his commercial teeth setting up a number of training companies, latterly the Risk Management and Training Company. He was Bursar and Development Director of Wycliffe College from 1999 to 2009. Since joining the Schools Planning and Development Partnership in September 2009 he and his schools liaison partner Denis Noel-Smith have spoken to Bursars, Heads and Governors on how 10% efficiencies can typically be made to teaching budgets and a further 15% savings taken out of support costs without detriment to the teaching and learning function of the school, as well as advising on how to increase non-fee income from the school’s land and property. He and Denis have developed a unique staffing and curriculum template, which can be applied to any school, which allows the Governors and SMT to have a full understanding of the parameters, variables and cost of delivering their curriculum.
Steve Paxton – Development Partner
Steve is a Chartered Surveyor and has been involved in the construction industry for over 30 years. Stephen specialises in Project Management, particularly in private education where he has worked with a large number of independent schools and colleges. Stephen has considerable experience of working with his clients on long term Development Plans, realising and securing short and long term funding. This includes asset management, deriving best value, and taxation planning. Stephen has advised, among others, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Malvern St James and Clifton College.
Denis Noel-Smith – Schools Liaison Partner
After leaving the Army, Denis was Bursar and Clerk to the Governors of a number of leading independent schools including: Giggleswick School and Cheltenham College and, in his last post, helped mastermind the merger of Malvern Girls’ College and St James’s, West Malvern. All these schools managed to release significant capital from underused or fallow assets for investment in their futures. Denis has worked as an advisor supporting schools in their merger aspirations leading to the creation of four successful new schools with secure futures. Denis also specialises in school business audits and cost reduction strategies.