Tom Meeks Author Page

Tom’s Professional Experience

Tom began his career in 2002 in audit and assurance, before joining Price Bailey in 2008. Tom has since progressed from his position as a Senior Manager to Partner (April 2023), and Head of Academies. Tom is based in Price Bailey’s Bishop Stortford office; specialising in accounts and audit, largely relating to private companies, charities, academy, schools and service charges. Leading the Academies team, Tom works across the Price Bailey network, offering his expert advice across the country. Tom has built up a substantial offering within the academies sector and is one of the country’s leading experts.

Outside of work, Tom devotes his time to school governance, and is currently a trustee of NET Academies Trust which is a multi-academy trust with a number of local schools in West Essex. Tom has dedicated hundreds of hours volunteering as a Trustee for different academies. This has given him valuable insights and knowledge into the understanding and strategy behind effective governance. He has been an advisory non-executive director for Academy Ambassadors, working with chairs and trust boards in need of support to strengthen their governance structure. More about Tom.

Published Content

Tom regularly produces content concerning Academies and any updates our clients must be aware of. Articles range from risk management, appetite and principles to the importance of good governance and leadership in academy trusts to the considerations surrounding establishing academy trading subsidiaries.

Tom is also influential in the Academies team events that we offer our clients; contributing to both in-person events and online webinars.

External Publications, Coverage and Speaker Events

Tom has contributed numerous times to the UK200 group Academy Forum, offering comment on topics such as the implications of forming, joining or growing a Multi-Academy trust, financial stability and integrated curriculum and financial planning. He has also been invited by the ICAEW Charity Community to speak at the annual group advisory updates and by The Catholic Education Service to offer support to other school business professionals about the implications of changes in government policy.

Qualifications

Tom is FCCA qualified. He has also successfully completed the Development for Chairs programme. This government accredited qualification supports professional development for those in governance roles in academy trusts.