L.E.A.D. IT Services Shortlisted for Impact Business of the Year 2026
L.E.A.D. IT Services named Bett Awards 2027 finalist
Bett Awards 2027
We’re delighted to be named a finalist in the IT Support Service category at the Bett Awards 2027! It’s a huge moment for our Derby team, whose care, expertise and consistency keep technology working for schools and Trusts every single day.
L.E.A.D. IT Services has been shortlisted in the IT Support Service category at the Bett Awards 2027, the education technology sector’s most recognised awards. This Award celebrates UK-based companies and educational organisations that provide effective services, support and professional development to ensure that ICT really makes an impact in the classroom.
It’s the second time our service has reached the Bett Awards final, after we were shortlisted for Technical or IT Support Service at the Bett Awards 2024. Being recognised again shows that our standards aren’t a one-off: they’re how our team works, year after year.
Lee Jepson founded L.E.A.D. IT Services 16 years ago within L.E.A.D. Academy Trust. Today we work with more than 250 schools and academy trusts across the country, including REAch2, the UK’s biggest primary-only multi-academy trust, and Flying High Partnership, one of the country’s top-performing trusts.
Lee Jepson, Founder and Director of IT at L.E.A.D. IT Services, said:
I’m so proud of our team. IT support was never meant to stop at the helpdesk, and this recognition belongs to the people who prove that every day: the engineers on site in our schools, the helpdesk team who pick up the phone, and everyone working overnight and through the holidays so a lesson is never lost.
Great support in schools isn’t about clever technology. It’s about people who know your school, understand how a classroom works and care about getting it right. That’s who we hire, train and develop.
Schools value consistency more than anything, and this team delivers it week in, week out. That’s why so many schools have stayed with us for years.
What makes our support different?
Built for education
16 years supporting schools, now working with more than 250 schools and academy trusts across the country.
Partners for the long term
95% of our school clients stay with us for five years or more, even though most contracts run for three.
A dedicated engineer on site
Every school benefits from the consistent presence of its own L.E.A.D. IT engineer, backed by remote support.
Zero lessons lost
We moved all 29 Embark Federation schools onto one Microsoft 365 tenancy within a year, working overnight, at weekends and in the holidays.
Paul Burgess, Headteacher at Charnock Hall Primary Academy, said:
The onsite and remote support from technicians such as Dan Houghton – who has been a source of ongoing in-the-moment support and advice on longer term strategy – has been immensely important.
Ben Riggott, Trust Inclusion Lead at Embark Federation, said L.E.A.D. IT provides “tremendous expertise across every area”.
What’s next?
The winners will be announced at the Bett Awards 2027 ceremony on 20th January 2027 at InterContinental London – The O2. We’d like to thank Bett, BESA, the judges and every school and Trust we work alongside.
Most of all, thank you to our brilliant team. Your hard work, patience and care are the reason we’re here!
Want support like this for your school or Trust? Speak to our team or find out more about our Fully Managed IT Support.
About the Bett Awards 2027
The Bett Awards celebrate the creativity and innovation found in technology for education, recognising the products, services and people that make a real difference to teaching and learning. Run in partnership with BESA (the British Educational Suppliers Association), finalists are chosen by a panel of independent educators.
