Meet The Team
STEVE BULMER
Managing Director
Steve Bulmer is the Managing Director and a founding director of Totus Solutions Limited. With over 20 years of experience as an executive operations leader, Steve brings a proven track record in delivering business solutions, driving process improvement, and leading financial planning across the education, charitable, and commercial sectors. His specialist expertise in business analysis—particularly within mergers and acquisitions in education and charity settings—makes him a sought-after strategic advisor. As a skilled change manager, Steve excels at analysing business processes and co-designing client-focused, cost-effective solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and governance.
Steve is passionate about leadership development and works closely with executive teams and boards to shape inspiring visions and values. He is dedicated to building leadership capability, fostering positive workplace cultures, and driving long-term organisational success.
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Since 2003, Steve has acted as a trusted external advisor to local authorities, multi-academy trusts (MATs), and commercial PLCs in the education sector. His previous roles include Group Head of Finance Services for a commercial education group, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Operations for a growing MAT. In these positions, Steve has implemented centralised finance and operational models—equipping him with deep insight into the challenges schools face and the experience to deliver tested, scalable solutions.
DAN PEGLEY
Director of Operations
Dan joined Totus Solutions in 2023 as Director of Operations, bringing with him a wealth of cross-sector experience. After earning a Master’s degree from the University of Manchester, Dan began his career in Financial Services before moving into senior leadership roles across a range of industries. His diverse background brings fresh thinking and innovative solutions to the Totus Solutions team.
Dan’s experience as both an Operations and Sales Director has shaped a deep understanding of strategic planning, operational delivery, and organisational growth. He has built and led high-performing teams, placing strong emphasis on leadership development and creating environments where individuals and organisations can thrive. His recruitment expertise lies in identifying talent that fits seamlessly into team cultures, ensuring long-term cohesion and success.
​An award-winning board director, Steve is recognised nationally for business development and target achievement. He has a strong track record of identifying strategic opportunities, mitigating risk, and managing complex change programmes. Known for his organised, collaborative leadership style, Steve leads cross-functional teams with a clear focus on efficiency and delivery. His extensive experience in restructuring and turnaround makes him a highly effective problem solver at executive level. Having held multiple interim roles at board, director, and CFOO level, Steve is a strong communicator who values stakeholder engagement at every stage. His ability to build trust and align stakeholders ensures practical, lasting solutions.
Outside of his professional work, Steve remains dedicated to the education and charitable sectors. He has served as a Trustee and former Chair of the Board for a children’s bereavement charity and is deeply committed to improving outcomes for children and young people. He is also Vice Chair and Director for a successful MAT, sitting on a Local Governing Board and several Trust committees—further reflecting his commitment to strong governance and organisational impact.
A strong advocate for customer service, Dan leads Totus Solutions’ customer experience initiatives, ensuring that every client receives responsive, high-quality support. He works closely with schools and Trusts to navigate the complexities of resource management—building lasting relationships grounded in trust, clarity, and results.
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Dan’s passion for education drives his commitment to helping schools maximise their resources and deliver better outcomes for children and young people. His focus on service excellence and strategic support helps ensure that trusts are equipped to meet today’s challenges while planning for long-term success.
JO GARLICK
Governance & School Improvement Consultant
Jo Garlick is a widely respected executive school leader with over 27 years of experience across both Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and maintained schools. She has consistently delivered impactful leadership in 19 years of senior roles—guiding schools through complex change, strengthening leadership capacity, and creating thriving environments for both pupils and staff.
Jo’s strategic vision and commitment to excellence have driven sustained improvement across a range of educational settings. Her leadership experience includes two substantive headships, a MAT CEO role, and several successful interim positions—each marked by a focus on outcomes, collaboration, and community.
Alongside her school leadership work, Jo brings deep expertise in governance. She has served as Chair of Governors, Governance Lead for a London Borough, a member of an Interim Executive Board (IEB), and currently sits on a Board of Trustees.
Jo has trained and supported governors to fulfil their statutory roles with confidence and clarity, delivering governance audits and providing actionable insights that raise standards and improve accountability.
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A strong advocate for professional development, Jo designs and delivers tailored leadership programmes, including National Professional Qualifications, bespoke school-based sessions, and one-to-one mentoring for headteachers and senior leaders. Her natural, forward-looking leadership style empowers others to lead with purpose, clarity, and resilience.
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Recognised by school leaders, Diocesan bodies, and Local Authority officers, Jo brings a unique combination of strategic leadership and governance insight. Her track record of enabling change and supporting others continues to inspire across the education sector.
JO TILLIN
MAT CFOO & Finance Consultant
Jo is a highly experienced finance professional with a career spanning more than two decades across both the corporate and education sectors. Since qualifying as an accountant, she has held a range of roles at leading organisations including Rolls-Royce and easyJet, where she developed specialist expertise as an analyst, management accountant, and systems accountant. These roles strengthened her skills in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and data analysis.
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Jo later transitioned into education, spending over eight years as a school business manager, where she oversaw financial operations, strategic planning, and resource management. Her deep understanding of school finance led to a successful consultancy career, supporting schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in improving financial systems, streamlining processes, and embedding sustainable budgeting and reporting frameworks.
In her current role as Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) of a MAT, Joanne plays a critical role in shaping financial strategy and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Known for her practical approach and deep knowledge of financial systems, she supports schools in navigating financial pressures and maximising resources to drive better outcomes for pupils and staff.
PENNY REID
Senior HR Specialist and Investigations Lead
Penny is a key member of our team, specialising in HR support, safeguarding, and compliance for schools and academy trusts. With 18 years of experience as a senior leader in schools and academies, she has extensive knowledge of HR processes, operational management, and regulatory requirements.
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Since 2020, Penny has provided expert guidance to schools, colleges, multi-academy trusts, and nurseries, offering HR advice, safeguarding support, and independent investigations. Her expertise spans a wide range of complex cases, including fraud, safeguarding concerns, disciplinary matters, grievances, parental complaints, governance issues, and whistleblowing.
Penny also advises on TUPE processes, supports schools with absence management and staff conduct issues, and delivers safeguarding training and audits, including Single Central Record (SCR) reviews. Her blend of operational education experience, HR expertise, and legal knowledge makes her an invaluable resource for schools navigating sensitive and high-stakes situations.
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Professional Memberships:
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
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