A leading education finance specialist is retiring from HCSS Education after contributing over 35 years of experience to the education sector.

Howard Jackson

Howard Jackson, head of education and founder of HCSS Education, part of Access Group, is retiring at the end of December following decades of experience, with roles including internal audit, school business manager and finance director.

He first set up the company in the back bedroom of his home in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire in 1993. Since then, HCSS Education has grown to become a successful business, employing over 80 people and boasting an impressive portfolio of software solutions, training and consultancy services.

Macclesfield-based HCSS Education was acquired by Access Group in December 2015 and over the past 12 months, Howard has worked to help drive the business forward and launch the UK’s first online school financial accounting software, HCSS Accounting.

Adam Brown, chief commercial officer of Access Group, said: “Howard’s leadership and passion has positively influenced many people from school heads, administrators and teachers, to HCSS and Access employees, business partners and resellers. It has been a real pleasure working with Howard and his drive, passion and leadership will be greatly missed.

“We’re pleased that he will still be involved with HCSS, sharing his insights and experience and supporting key activities as the company moves forwards.

“I would like to thank him for choosing Access as the new home of his business and we wish him all the best with his business ventures and spending more time with his family.”

In July 2015, Howard was awarded a Fellowship of the National Association of School Business Management and he is also the author of a nationally circulated document on financial planning published by the DfE, Strategic Planning: The Key to Financial Sustainability.

Howard is also the founder and original chairman of the Northern Bursars Group and was previously a non-executive director of the National Bursars Association.

Aside from his entrepreneurial interests, in 2014 Howard established the charity The School Bus Foundation, which aims to provide disadvantaged children and young people in mainstream education with opportunities that can make a positive difference to their lives.

For more information, please visit www.hcsseducation.co.uk