Park People: Ian Mackinnon, RM 

From classrooms to campuses across the country, RM Technology has been pioneering edtech from its Milton Park headquarters since the 1980s.

Ian Mackinnon, RM’s new CEO of Educational Resources, shares what the next chapter holds for Oxford University’s second-earliest spinout.

Can you tell us a bit about RM Technology and its operations at Milton Park?

RM has supported schools for more than 50 years, making us a part of the UK’s educational fabric. From user-management platforms that centralise digital administration to classroom technologies that enhance learning environments, we want to ensure every school is ready for a digitally enhanced future. As schools integrate more technology into learning, our solutions are becoming increasingly important.

Our Milton Park base is home to our product development, business development and school support teams bringing together technical expertise with a deep understanding of education to meet their challenges.

What inspired you to pursue a career in edtech?

I joined RM to lead the resources division, TTS Group, before taking on responsibility for RM Technology.

I was struck by how transformative education can be. When teachers are equipped with the right resources and digital tools, you can open doors to opportunity. Edtech has a unique ability to level the playing field. At its best, it can improve social mobility and life chances. That’s a powerful motivation to come to work each day.

What attracted you to the CEO role?

Three things. First was RM’s legacy. Not many can say they’ve supported schools for half a century!

Second was the quality of our people, products and partners. RM’s talent pool is exceptional and tools like our web-filtering solution SafetyNet and single sign-on software Unify show how impactful our work can be.

Clarity of purpose was third. Schools depend on technology to run effectively so providing that brings a strong sense of responsibility and pride. It’s a privilege to lead a team which allows schools to thrive.

What’s something you’ve learned that people outside RM Technology might not realise?

People often think of RM simply as a technology provider. However, at our core, we create conditions for educational fairness and quality.

The scale and complexity of that work can be surprising. Our systems keep schools operational, our broadband ensures learning isn’t disrupted and SafetyNet keeps children safe online. They’re fundamental services for modern schools.

You’ve recently joined RM. What were your first impressions of Milton Park?

Milton Park is so much more than simply the location of our office. There’s a real buzz to the place, a melting pot of science, technology and innovation.

As the second-oldest spinout to come from Oxford University, the company has been based here since the 1980s but it’s still an ideal setting. The amenities help us attract and retain fantastic talent and the environment encourages collaboration and innovative thinking

What does a typical day at Milton Park look like for you?

I tend to arrive early to set the tone for the day. My mornings usually start with calls and check-ins to align priorities, navigate challenges and keep our development projects on track.

I then carve out deeper focus time for strategic work, such as reviewing product roadmaps, meeting stakeholders or exploring how technologies and policy changes could shape the future of education.

Are there any exciting initiatives or updates at RM you’re looking forward to?

A recent highlight is our new partnership with Sky Business Wholesale, one of the UK’s most trusted telecomms providers. We’re working together to strengthen the digital infrastructure behind schools.

There’s so much potential across RM and I’m really excited to help position the business and our customers for long term success.

Do you have a favourite spot at Milton Park yet?

I do. The Hive at Bee House has quickly become my favourite. Before its transformation, Bee House was in fact RM’s original headquarters before we moved across the road to our new premises.

The building evokes fond memories for many RM colleagues who worked in the building over the years. It’s central, relaxed and ideal for informal chats or quick catch ups. I’ve already become a fan of their latte and the Quiche of the Day has become a bit of a personal tradition too.