IMP Software shortlisted for BETT Awards Leadership and Management Solutions prize

Exeter-based IMP Software is one of eight finalists in the running for the BETT Awards 2021 Leadership and Management Solutions category. The winners of the prestigious awards, which are billed as “a celebration of the inspiring creativity and innovation that can be found throughout technology for education”, are due to be announced at a ceremony at The Brewery in London on 16th June.

Produced in association with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), BETT’s Leadership and Management Solutions award aims to reward digital software, content, online and offline products and learning services specifically designed to support institutional leaders and managers. Entries in this category are typically drawn from one of two areas; tools for school leaders to support development or the management of information to assist the running of a school. It is open to businesses in early years, primary, secondary or further education and skills sectors, making it extremely competitive.

The focus of the award entry was the impact of IMP’s budgeting, forecasting and reporting solution specifically for use by Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), IMP Planner, which has now been implemented by over 50 Trusts across over 570 schools. It addressed award criteria ranging from clear effectiveness and efficiency, and enabling leaders and managers to make informed decisions, to providing support for the improvement of learning outcomes, full and effective support on the use of the product, and value for money. IMP goes up against the likes of Tes Global and NetSupport for the prize.

With the BETT Awards award shortlisting following hot on the heels of IMP Software’s Market Entrant award win at the EducationInvestor Awards 2020, IMP Software co-founder Will Jordan was once again full of praise for the “fantastic team” behind the product. “Winning the EducationInvestor Award just before Christmas was an absolutely fantastic way to end 2020, and now we are thrilled to start 2021 with this shortlisting for BETT, an awards scheme which is highly regarded in the education sector. The recognition through these awards is only made possible by colleagues providing exemplary customer support and offering first-class advice on budget planning and resource optimisation.”

“Quite simply, IMP Planner enables MAT leaders to develop, implement and monitor their budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes across all their schools. Core budget and financial data is used to drive future forecasts, whilst also factoring in and enabling ‘what if’ scenario planning on a host of potential drivers which can impact the viability of these publicly-funded organisations. MATs are defined as single legal entities and, as such, their statutory financial reporting and management requirements are focused across all of their schools equally and they have a need to manage and operate as one organisation. What we do is fulfil that need with what our customers say is a distinctive and innovation leadership and management solution of which there is no other.”