About Us

Define - Evidence - Evaluate - Options

ASA bring a unique blend of commercial and education understanding, to review the business viability and impact of organisations working

in the education sector

Our experience is drawn from across the private, public and charitable sectors, backed up by case studies and in-depth sector expertise

ASA offer a values-driven, independent assessment of all business and educational activities, to produce meaningful recommendations for growth, sustainability and improved outcomes for children & young people

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Lead Consultants

Expertise. Intuition. Integrity.

Andy Simms

MBA, MA (Ed), BSc, APIOL

Andy is senior organisation leader with 25+ years’ experience across the private, public and charitable sectors. His passion is helping organisations develop strategy, ensure sustainability and deliver outstanding performance. Andy uses his commercial and sector understanding, to maximise organisational opportunities and deliver substantial growth. Andy has a significant record of embracing new challenges, leading change management programmes and, ensuring strategic business development. As an enthusiastic and charismatic communicator, he successfully motivates senior leadership teams, whilst creating strong relationships with partner organisations.

Andy was UK Chair, Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) and is currently a Multi-Academy Trust governor.

Dave Holmes

BSc, MSc, FRGS, CEA

Dave is an education consultant, curriculum designer and school improvement facilitator, with over 20 years of education sector experience.

Dave is well-known within UK education for creating excellence and innovation, particularly as a writer, trainer and examiner.

He has held positions as a trustee (Field studies Council & Royal Geographical Society). Dave is trusted by education providers to work creatively with them and strengthen their brand and offer to schools, academies, MATs and local authorities.

David is Director of an education consultancy, Making Geography Matter Ltd

(http://david-holmes-geography.co.uk)

Neil Blakeman

Neil is a senior consultant with 30 years of international commercial experience in education and business, working in the UK, China and international markets.

Neil has worked closely with organisations of all sizes and across many sectors on international strategy, business development, operations and growth. Recent education clients have included the Open University, FutureLearn and Higher Ed Partners UK. Previous clients include blue-chip multinationals, universities and business schools. Neil has led public-sector and independent institutions, as well as start-ups which are ‘born global’.

Neil was also previously a Director of an educational charity, AIESEC UK.

Matt Healey

MA, LPIOL, INLPA, FRSA

Matt has spent his career as an advocate for learning and change. Having worked as a senior leader in Maintained, Commercial and Not-for-Profit environments he is particularly interested developing infrastructures for (e)valuation used in strategic change processes. His unique expertise is in managing emergent social, political, and economic influences on environmental learning and practice. Matt served as a Trustee of IOL and a Director of The British Activity Provider Association (BAPA). His work has international reach, from West Africa, China, Canada and the UAE, to Australia and Europe. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and works as a PhD Researcher in partnership with the University of Lancaster Management School.

Sue Clarke OBE

BA, MSc

Sue was Head of Education for Devon County Council and now works as an independent consultant, remaining active and passionate about education. after working in education. Sue has had many roles and posts during her career including headteacher, inspector and Primary phase adviser. She has an MSc in Educational Research from Exeter University and was awarded an OBE in 2011 for Services to Education.

Sue is a trustee for Daisi (Devon Art in Schools Initiative) and SPACE (a charity offering and supporting Youth Services across Devon). Sue sits on the Board of Trustees for a new Primary school and is a Member for a Multi-Academy trust in South Devon.

Alistair Boyd

BABS DIP HRM

Alistair is a business and education consultant, programme designer and innovator. An early career in finance and engineering was followed by over 20 years in the not for profit sector designing, developing and delivering education programmes in schools and centres across the UK and Europe. Clients have ranged from Primary and Secondary schools, Universities and corporate organisations looking for innovative ways to challenge and develop themselves.

Alistair’s time in the Charitable sector has fostered a passion for delivering excellent outcomes with minimal resources. Alistair is a trustee and former Chairman of the Institute for Outdoor Learning and is on the AAIAC Council.

ASA (Andy Simms Associates)

Helping you deliver the best education & support services