Gateshead tech firm sees strong services demand predicting £300k revenue by 2019

A specialist Gateshead technology firm is planning further expansion in the coming months after seeing continued demand for its advanced education quality assurance software.

Team Valley-based Mesma has achieved strong growth for its online technology and consultancy services, which help schools, colleges and training providers implement effective quality assurance systems aligned to external inspection and audit requirements.

Over the last 12 months, Mesma has seen a surge in demand for its subscription-based software and consultancy services, and now predicts revenues in excess of £300k in 2019.

These include London South East Colleges, Bromley College, Sunderland-based training company Milltech Ltd, and youth charity Harington Scheme, Working Links, Hays Travel and Skillnet as well as international clients.

The firm, led by director Louise Doyle, as well as Carole Loader and Neil Donkin, is also seeing strong demand for their support to build a robust quality assurance approach from new entrants in the apprenticeship market.

They are said to be expanding into the university sector on the back of government policy and funding changes.

Louise Doyle said: “We have seen particular growth in our further and higher education client base this year. It has been a challenging time for colleges and independent training providers following ongoing government reforms in technical education.

“While the foundations of a good quality assurance approach haven’t changed, the ways in which they need to respond to changes have. The introduction of apprenticeship standards and the implications of the apprenticeship levy is a good example.”

The directors also plan to expand their consultancy line-up to bolster the existing team of specialists as part of plans to continue to diversify in the face of a changing education landscape later in 2018.

Neil Donkin is set to focus his time on driving product development, with increased software developer resource to allow the business to enhance the existing platform and build three new modules.

Louise concluded: “We have seen particular growth in our further and higher education client base this year. It has been a challenging time for colleges and independent training providers following ongoing government reforms in technical education.

“While the foundations of a good quality assurance approach haven’t changed, the ways in which they need to respond to changes have. The introduction of apprenticeship standards and the implications of the apprenticeship levy is a good example.”

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