Redsquid buys Partnership Education in biggest deal

Redsquid has acquired education technology provider Partnership Education in its 16th acquisition and largest deal to date.

The transaction adds nearly 80 employees to the group and more than GBP £8 million in revenue. Cranfield-based Partnership Education supports more than 170 schools and academies with IT and technology services.

As part of the deal, Redsquid has appointed Partnership Education Managing Director Matt Perrett as Director of Education for the group. He will lead the company’s education strategy as the enlarged business looks to strengthen its position in the sector.

The acquisition expands Redsquid’s specialist education offering across the UK. The group operates in managed technology and cybersecurity and has grown through acquisitions.

The education market has become a growing focus for technology providers as schools and academy trusts face rising demands around cyber security, cloud services and day-to-day IT management. Adding Partnership Education gives Redsquid a larger presence in that market, with an established customer base in schools and trusts.

Sohin Raithatha, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said the acquisition was an important step as Redsquid expanded its education practice.

“This acquisition represents a major step forward for Redsquid. Supporting the education sector has long been a key focus for us, and Partnership Education brings exceptional people, expertise and shared values into the group,” Raithatha said.

Redsquid described the deal as a significant expansion of its education specialism. It said the enlarged group would also create more opportunities for employees across both businesses to collaborate and develop within the organisation.

Education focus

Perrett’s appointment puts the former Partnership Education leader in charge of shaping Redsquid’s education strategy across the wider group. His role will combine Partnership Education’s sector experience with Redsquid’s broader technology and security operations.

“Partnership Education has earned the trust of schools by being practical, responsive and deeply focused on what education leaders need both operationally and strategically. Joining Redsquid is our biggest step yet as a business, and my appointment as Director of Education is a clear signal that we’re investing for the long term in the sector, with the capability, consistency and security schools and trusts deserve,” Perrett said.

The acquisition was backed by Partnership Education employees. Its majority shareholder was an Employee Ownership Trust, meaning employees were shareholders in the business, and they voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining Redsquid.

That aspect of the deal highlights the role staff ownership can play in transactions involving specialist service providers, particularly where customer relationships and local knowledge are closely tied to employees. In this case, the vote reflected confidence in the fit between the two businesses.

Growth strategy

Founded in 2006, Redsquid has expanded through a mix of organic growth and acquisitions. The purchase of Partnership Education is its biggest deal so far and extends that strategy into a sector where trust, continuity and technical support are central to customer retention.

Redsquid also pointed to its B Corp certification as part of its identity, positioning itself as a business focused on people and local presence as well as growth. In practical terms, the acquisition deepens its footprint in education while increasing its overall scale.

Raithatha reinforced that message in a second statement on the deal and Perrett’s appointment.

“Partnership Education is an outstanding business with exceptional people and deep sector knowledge. Bringing them into Redsquid significantly accelerates our specialist capability in education, and appointing Matt Perrett as our Director of Education is a clear signal of our long-term commitment to the sector,” he said.