28 November 2022
RM plc announces sale of School Management Information System (MIS) business to The Key Group
LONDON, 28th November 2022 - RM Plc – a leading supplier of technology and resources to the education sector – has confirmed today, Monday 28th November 2022, that it intends to sell its School Management Information System (MIS) business – known as RM Integris and RM Finance (along with RM Accounts and Access Education Budgeting) – to The Key Group for up to £16m in cash, with completion expected to occur during the first half of 2023.
Technology is more critical than ever across the education sector, enabling teaching and learning to happen in and beyond the classroom, simplifying the complexities of a school’s operations and engaging pupils, staff, parents, and other stakeholders. Today’s announcement is part of RM’s focus to be the leading services and support partner to UK schools, helping them turn the potential of technology into tools to deliver a great education.
Alongside the growth of technology, Academisation is changing the landscape of English schools, with the majority of schools predicted to be part of a mid-sized Multi-Academy Trust by 2030. As a result, customers are demanding different services than they did even a few years ago.
Jason Tomlinson, Managing Director, Technology for RM plc, commented:
“As technology plays an ever greater role in Education, schools and trusts are asking for more advice and guidance on how to benefit from the breadth of solutions available. RM is the ideal partner to support them on their individual digital maturity journeys and help them benefit from modern, platform delivered managed services. This announcement is part of a strategic review to focus on how we help more customers maximise the impact of technology across their schools in the rapidly changing technology and education landscape”.
We sought an acquirer that exhibited similar values, with a strong customer ethos, and with experience necessary to deliver a MIS service to UK schools. Alongside the sale announced today, RM is also announcing a strategic partnership with The Key Group, embedding tools like Arbor, RM Integris and GovernorHub into RM’s digital maturity consultancy and support practice, bringing customers the best of the complementary skills from RM and The Key Group.
The sale has been announced today – 28th November 2022 – and all parties are working to complete the process during the first half of 2023, subject to the employee consultation and any other outstanding approvals.
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About RM
RM plc is a £211m turnover British business, with c. 1,990 employees globally. Established in 1973, RM provides market-leading products and services to educational institutions, exam bodies and international governments which improve, simplify and support education and learning.
RM’s Technology division (www.RM.com/education) is a market-leading supplier of ICT software, technology and services to UK schools and colleges to deliver a technology environment that improves learning outcomes and makes the most of IT investment
About RM Integris and RM Finance
RM Integris is a leading school management information system used by almost 2,000 schools in England. Flexible and easy-to-use, RM Integris is designed to give teachers and administration staff the tools they need for flexible, efficient working.
RM Finance is a financial management system for administering school finances and budgeting.
Going forward RM Integris will become simply Integris and RM Finance will be rebranded as Integris Finance.
About The Key Group
The Key Group is a collection of mission-driven brands who believe that positive change happens in schools where education leaders are empowered to take meaningful action. Supporting 19,000 schools across the UK, each of their for brands work to bring that belief to life in different ways:
The Key
- The Key is the leading provider of support for schools and trusts. Their whole school approach gives leaders one trusted source to turn to for any challenge, equipping them with highly-accurate, expertly-synthesised and context-rich resources, guidance and CPD.
GovernorHub
- Designed by governors, for governors who want to feel confident in their role and the work of their board. GovernorHub helps them work better, develop their skills and evidence their efforts. GovernorHub was founded in 2011 and joined The Key Group in April 2020.
Arbor Education
- Arbor is the UK’s fastest-growing MIS today. Over 4,000 schools and 300 MATs use their tools to work more collaboratively, free staff from busywork and drive their schools forward. Arbor joined The Key Group in December 2020.
ScholarPack
- ScholarPack is the simple school office MIS that 1,800 primary schools love to use. It lightens the load for office staff and makes every day easier. ScholarPack joined The Key Group in June 2018.
Media Contact
For more information, quotes, or images on this story, please contact:
Simon Carter
scarter@rm.com
or
Charlotte Firth
Harvard PR
RM@harvard.co.uk