In this episode of the ISBA Bursar Conversations, Owen Adams, Bursar at Bradfield College, shares his journey from a 30+ year military career to a strategic leadership role in education. From his time in the Royal Artillery and elite units like the Paras and Commandos to his role as Pro-Vice Chancellor at Durham University, Owen discusses how leadership, adaptability, and operational planning have prepared him to navigate the evolving challenges in independent schools.

From managing crises like COVID-19 to spearheading innovations like immersive VR learning and commercializing school assets, Owen brings a unique perspective on the business of education, cultural integration, and the future of the independent school sector.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✅ Military Experience Builds Transferable Leadership

Owen emphasizes that Army training, particularly around coordination, influence, and integration, lays a strong foundation for leadership roles in schools, especially when managing complex communities and resources.

✅ Understanding the Tension Between Tradition and Commercial Viability

Schools must balance preserving legacy and values with the need to generate surplus and adopt business-like operations. Owen highlights how this friction is managed daily within leadership roles.

✅ COVID-19 Response as a Test of Coordination and Resilience

Bradfield College’s early pivot to digital learning and its comprehensive COVID strategy illustrate how institutional agility and strong teams can overcome crisis.

✅ From Soft Assets to Innovation Hubs

Owen argues that schools should think beyond physical facilities and consider monetizing “soft assets” such as internal skills, digital platforms, and IP, like their internally developed VR learning platform.

✅ The Future: Consolidation, Fragmentation, and Hybrid Education

With falling demographics and rising costs, Owen foresees fewer, more consolidated schools and more diverse, hybrid education models. Schools must evolve with tech, rethink pricing, and explore partnerships to stay relevant.

⏱️ Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – The importance of surplus and business-mindedness in independent schools

[00:00:43] – Owen’s transition from military to education sector

[00:02:17] – Leading student life and services at Durham University

[00:04:19] – Growing up in Australia and joining the British Army

[00:07:02] – Military operations and the value of collaboration

[00:10:19] – Translating Army coordination to school leadership

[00:14:00] – Institutional friction vs. business realities

[00:21:49] – Bradfield’s COVID response and digital transformation

[00:24:10] – Passion for education and desire to be a bursar

[00:25:56] – Advice for transitioning professionals entering education

[00:32:57] – Involving academic staff in financial and strategic decisions

[00:34:41] – Pay-as-you-play models and service modularity

[00:36:44] – The future of hybrid learning and tech-based schooling

[00:38:09] – In-house VR education: Campus Exile and immersive learning

[00:40:32] – Commercializing soft assets and school IP

[00:44:42] – Innovation under price pressure: new models of sustainability

Connect Our Guest on:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/owen-adams-aa330928

Website: https://www.bradfieldcollege.org.uk/about/senior-management-team/

Connect with Nigel Ward on:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nigel-ward-author-of-using-less-stuff-88684a25

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📢 Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional advice.