The first wave of the ION Roadshow has wrapped up, and what a journey it’s been. From London to Birmingham, all the way up to Sage HQ in Newcastle, we’ve connected with Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) across the country, sharing valuable insights into the future of MAT finance.
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What is the ION Roadshow?

ION is dedicated to ensuring that MATs have the right tools, insights, and technology to drive financial efficiency and long-term success. That’s why we launched the ION Roadshow in 2024 — a series of in-person events designed to bring together education finance leaders, share real-world transformation stories, and provide hands-on access to Sage Intacct for Education. With the sector evolving rapidly, our goal is to equip MATs with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their financial future.
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Key Takeaways from the 2025 Roadshow

Automation is key for boosting efficiency

During our live case study at the Newcastle Roadshow, we heard directly from Delta Academies Trust, one of the UK’s largest MATs, about their remarkable reduction in bank reconciliation time. After switching from their outdated finance solution to Sage Intacct for Education, Delta was able to reduce their bank reconciliation process time from one week to just 10 minutes.

Want to hear their story? Watch the live case study here.
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Choosing a MAT-Specific System

St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Academy Trust shared why selecting a MAT-specific solution is crucial, particularly one that integrates seamlessly with key tools like IMP Budgeting. They also highlighted the importance of partnering with a provider that aligns with their values and supports the move towards modern, cloud-based finance.

Watch St Cuthbert’s story here.
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Live Demos & Expert Insights

Roadshow attendees saw first-hand how Sage Intacct for Education is revolutionising MAT finance — from powerful automation to intuitive reporting, eliminating inefficiencies, and the essential role of true-cloud infrastructure in future-proof accounting.

We were also privileged to hear from Sage, who delivered a compelling partner talk on their commitment to investing into consistent Sage Intacct updates. They shared insights into the significant investment being made in AI-driven efficiency tools, reinforcing their dedication to continuous innovation in financial technology. With AI becoming a key driver in automating manual processes, improving reporting, and enhancing decision-making, Sage showcased how their roadmap is designed to support the evolving needs of MATs, ensuring they have cutting-edge tools to manage their finances smarter and more efficiently.  
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What’s Next?

Off the back of the Roadshow’s success, we’re excited to announce that the ION Roadshow will be returning later this year! If you missed out this time, keep an eye on our events page for upcoming dates.

A huge thank you to our speakers, our partners at Sage, and everyone who joined us — your engagement and insights made these events truly special.  

Watch this space—there’s more to come!

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