Thought Leader Consultant of the Year
Sam Sanders is recognised as one of the education sector’s leading voices on financial sustainability, digital transformation and collaboration.
At a time of unprecedented financial pressure and policy reform, Sam’s thought leadership has helped reshape the national conversation about the future of universities. Sam was a contributor to Universities UK’s White Paper on the future of higher education (HE) and joint author of the Radical Collaboration playbook, a comprehensive guide to shared services, collaborations and merger options across the HE sector. He has provided practical guidance to institutions across the globe on mergers, shared services and structural reform. His work has supported KPMG’s involvement in major sector developments, including the merger that created City St George’s University.
Sam has also led national guidance for the British University Finance Directors’ Group on finance and HR systems implementation, directly influencing major ERP transformations at institutions including Cambridge, York, Hull, St Andrews and University College Dublin. Through research with Jisc on shared services and contributions on AI and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, he has helped university leaders move from debate to delivery.
His reputation as a consultant who turns thought leadership into actionable strategy has helped KPMG’s Education practice grow from £400k to over £22m over the past decade, reflecting the trust placed in his insight and advice by vice chancellors, CFOs and governing bodies.
By combining sector influence with practical delivery, Sam’s work is helping universities navigate one of the most challenging periods in their history with clarity and confidence.
View the profile in the MCA Members Directory.