Meet the Team: Sam The Head of XfE
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Meet the Team: Sam, The Head of XfE
Every month, we’re shining a light on the people behind XfE, the friendly faces who make school finance simpler, smarter, and more supportive.
To kick things off, we’re starting with the man who helped bring it all to life: Sam, our Head of XfE.
Who is Sam?
Sam is ACCA and MAAT qualified, and brings a wealth of experience in both education and accounting. As Head of XfE, and a Director at Thorne Widgery — Sam has been at the heart of XfE’s journey since day one.
He combines financial expertise with a genuine passion for helping schools and trusts modernise how they manage money. His vision was simple: to make finance easier, more transparent, and more connected for education professionals.
From building the original concept of XfE to shaping the platform as it stands today, Sam’s leadership and insight have guided every step of the process.
What Does He Do?
Day to day, Sam leads the XfE team — setting the direction for new developments, ensuring clients get the best possible experience, and helping schools make the most of cloud-based tools.
He’s a problem solver at heart. Whether it’s helping a School Business Manager cut through the admin or finding smarter ways for Multi-Academy Trusts to gain oversight, Sam is constantly looking for opportunities to simplify, automate, and improve.
If you’ve ever had your reporting streamlined, your approvals automated, or your time saved thanks to XfE — chances are, Sam had a hand in it.
In His Own Words
“When we started XfE, the goal was clear — to give schools and trusts more time to focus on education, not paperwork. We’ve built a platform that connects systems, cuts admin, and empowers finance teams to make faster, smarter decisions. And we’re only just getting started.”
Why We Think He’s Brilliant
Aside from being the brain behind XfE, Sam’s approach is what makes him stand out. He’s approachable, grounded, and genuinely cares about the people he works with. Clients know they can pick up the phone and get straightforward, helpful advice — never jargon.
He’s also the kind of leader who gets stuck in — whether that’s testing new features, jumping into demos, or helping users understand how to get the best from XfE.
