We have a number of clients in the education technology sector and so thought we must make an appearance at this year’s British Educators Technology Trade Show. It was a great opportunity to catch up with  old clients (as well as meet some new ones!) whilst learning more about this exciting sector where the UK has many world-leading companies.  Oxfordshire with its education heritage (including its university) was very well represented at the trade show.

Zioxi Limited, an Oxfordshire based furniture manufacturer was exhibiting again this year at BETT and, having represented the company for nine years, I couldn’t resist a photo opportunity on the Zioxi stand with Nick Topliss co-owner and Managing Director of the Company.

Eyebrows might perhaps be raised at the notion of Zioxi, a design and furniture business, being a technology company.  Zioxi, though, shows that “the times they are a changing”.

At the trade show Nick explained that over the past four years since the Building Schools for the Future Initiative was ended by the Coalition Government, Zioxi has transformed its business model.

With the arrival of tablets, schools are embracing technology as never before.  Keeping those tablets charged and in a secure location requires a furniture design and manufacturing company that can provide innovative solutions. Intelligent cabinets and elegantly designed battery towers within demountable desks are part of Zioxi’s exciting new product range.

At BETT Zioxi also announced the launch of a new technology platform.  Zioxi can now help schools and universities monitor the usage of their stock of tablets ensuring they are charged and up to date.  Remote charging of their tablet stock enables teachers to plan lessons without fear of devices not working and also prevent the degradation in tablets that can arise if they are not used during holiday periods. Rob Sirs, Zioxi’s co-owner, has been instrumental in the creation of this new technology platform working with an Oxfordshire-based software developer.

As Britain steadies itself for a possible post-Brexit shock the great news is that all of this innovative design, manufacture and development has been undertaken in Oxfordshire from Zioxi’s premises in Thame.

We acted for Nick some years ago when he sold Zioxi (then called ISIS Concepts) to Oxfordshire‑based RM plc.  We also helped Nick and Rob (former CEO of RM) in 2012 when Zioxi was bought back after the Building Schools for the Future project was ended.

Zioxi is now exporting to 31 countries around the world through a new distribution network.  Distributors used to selling low margin tablets now have the opportunity to grow stronger relationships with their education sector customers working with Zioxi.

A great British and Oxfordshire success story!