# Built by people who’ve worked in **academies** themselves

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-teal.svg)

###### You get clear, actionable education consultancy that ensures lasting change within schools.

![Teacher holding a workbook at the front of a primary school class](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/about/about-keystone-knowledge.webp)

## Keystone Knowledge was founded with a simple conviction:

**better school management helps pupils succeed.**

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-yellow.svg)

### Stephen Mitchell

#### Founder and CEO

##### Stephen Mitchell, founder and CEO of Keystone Knowledge, has led academy trusts as CEO/CFO/COO since 2012.

His MBA focused on improving school management, and he serves as a national lead assessor on the DfE’s SRMA programme. Earlier disaster-relief work, in Kosovo (1999) and Haiti (2010), shaped his belief in education. In 2018–20, he founded Keystone Knowledge, a consultancy that builds operational foundations to enable teachers to teach and pupils to thrive.

![Stephen Mitchell, founder and CEO portrait](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/about/stephen-mitchell.webp)

## What **we believe**

### Internal scrutiny for academy trusts

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-yellow.svg)

Assurance should move you forward, not just tick a box. You receive risk-based plans unique to your context. We deliver DfE-aligned reports, so you and your leadership can act with confidence.

### HR support for schools

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-pink.svg)

Policy is only useful if it helps people do the right thing at the right pace. We provide you with compliant options in plain English, complete with draft wording and next steps so that you can use them the same day. Plus, tiered retainers, from on-call advice to full, unlimited support, mean you pay only for what you need.

### Academy finance support

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-teal.svg)

Consistent monthly control prevents a year-end rush. We provide day-to-day financial support, interim financial leadership, and strategic financial reviews.

### Procurement services for schools

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-teal.svg)

Value for money isn’t only about price. We assess specification clarity, supplier performance, and implementation risk.

### Academy business support

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-yellow.svg)

Growth and change are successful when operations keep up. We focus on the “how”. Process, governance, and onboarding, so expansion doesn’t overwhelm your teams.

### Academy conversion due diligence

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-pink.svg)

Due diligence must be decision-useful. We surface the real risks, quantify likely remediation efforts, and outline a first-90-days plan so new schools can integrate smoothly.

## You can **count on us** for:

### Evidence‐based recommendations

Mapped to sector guidance and your risk profile.

### Ongoing support when needed

You can count on us to help you in the short and long term.

### Plain‐English communication

That you can share with trustees and staff.

![Secondary school teacher showing a group of students something on a tablet](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/about/school-professionals-for-the-best-support.webp)

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## “Keystone’s team of experienced school professionals truly understands the unique challenges and opportunities within the education sector.”

**KEMI AROGUNDADE, CFO, BURNTWOOD SCHOOL**

### Built for **MAT leaders**

and **school teams** who
want more than just advice

### Meet the **team**

![Image](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/v3/svgs/underline-long-yellow.svg)

You’ll work with former trust leaders and senior HR education and finance specialists who know the academy landscape. We invest in ongoing CPD and peer review, so you always get current, sector‐sharp thinking, delivered by people who’ve been in your seat.

![Steve Mitchell](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/steve.webp)

Stephen Mitchell, CEO

![Lauren](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/lauren.webp)

Lauren Colder, Chief Finance and Operations Officer

![Jenny](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/jenny.webp)

Jennifer Mitchell, Human Resources Manager

![Azim](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/azim.webp)

Azim Sindhwani, Internal Scrutiny Audit Officer

![Kelly](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/kelly.webp)

Kelly Bennett, Finance Officer

![Les](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/les.webp)

Les Keates, Senior Internal Audit Manager

![Mantas](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/mantas.webp)

Mantas Montvydas, Head of Business Development

![Ash](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/2025/12/30/ash.webp)

Ashley McKenzie, Internal Scrutiny Audit Officer

[GET IN TOUCH](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/contact-us)