The Freedom and Autonomy for Schools - National Association (Fasna) has voted to rename itself as the Confederation of School Trusts (CST).

The new academy sector lobby group will formally launch itself at its national conference at the British Library on 11 October.

Education secretary Damian Hinds will send a personal video message to the body’s delegates, and will meet with CST board members at the end of the day in a roundtable session.

Tes reported in June that Fasna had launched a consultation on whether to redefine itself as a “sector body” for “legally autonomous independent school trusts”. The organisation wanted to reposition itself as the trade association lobbying on behalf of the academy sector.

The body announced at its general meeting today that 377 votes were cast, with 100 per cent of its membership in favour of the change.

‘The voice of academy trusts’

Chief executive Leora Cruddas said: “We are delighted at the support our members have shown for this direction of travel. As the voice of school trusts, the CST will make a decisive contribution to the institutional architecture of education in England.”

Chair Rob McDonough, who is chief executive of the East Midlands Education Trust, added: “Several voices are louder than one. We want to create a forum for all trusts of all sizes to belong to something bigger than themselves in order to speak authoritatively to government.

“We aim to be a membership organisation of organisations. This means that the organisation - the trust - is the member. When a trust joins the CST, we will support the executive team, the trustees and the trust board as a corporate entity.”