Managing Director for Education
Simon Freeman is Managing Director for Education at IRIS, where he leads the strategic evolution of the organisation’s education portfolio. He is responsible for leading the team to deliver innovative, technology‑led solutions that support schools, multi‑academy trusts and independent institutions worldwide to be more effective, and improve student outcomes.
Driven by a strong commitment to improving outcomes in education, Simon brings extensive senior leadership experience from large‑scale technology and services organisations.
Simon is focused on positioning IRIS as the partner of choice for institutions navigating increasing operational, financial and regulatory complexity.
If you run payroll for a school or trust, you already know it's not like payroll anywhere else. Multiple posts, pay spines, term-time contracts, backdated pay, TPS, LGPS, sometimes private pension funds running side by...
Simon Freeman | 24th July 2026 | 6 min read
The School Workforce Census is a key annual requirement for UK schools, and while it can feel pressured when the submission window opens, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right approach, you can...
Simon Freeman | 22nd June 2026 | 4 min read
The new Department for Education's (DfE) Estates Strategy sets out clear expectations for how schools need to manage, report, and evidence their estate. What it doesn’t fully explore is the gap between those expectations and...
Simon Freeman | 17th June 2026 | 5 min read
The pressures facing finance and operations leaders across schools and trusts right now is high. Budgets are tighter, expectations are higher, and the day-to-day demands leave little room to step back and think strategically. At...
Simon Freeman | 13th May 2026 | 6 min read
School and trust payroll isn't like payroll anywhere else. Staff hold multiple roles under different contracts, pay scales, and pension schemes – often within the same payslip. There are over 174 pieces of legislation to...
Simon Freeman | | 4 min read
Big changes are coming to school estates management – and if you haven't had a chance to fully explore the Department for Education's new 10-year strategy yet, here's a clear and practical guide. In February...
Simon Freeman | 6th May 2026 | 4 min read
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