The People Behind the Advice
We are a specialist consultancy working exclusively with UK schools and Multi-Academy Trusts.
We do not sell technology. Instead, we act solely on your behalf - providing honest, independent advice to help you make informed, confident decisions about the technology you procure and how it supports your school and your budget.
Completely Independent
Education Specialists
Personal Service
Our Story
How It All Started
Phillip Allum founded TGE Solutions in March 2011, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the telecoms and ICT sectors. The business originally set out to support large corporate clients, but in 2015, everything changed.
A chance introduction to the education sector opened a door that never really closed.
Phillip quickly saw that schools were being underserved. They were dealing with complex technology decisions, tight budgets, and suppliers who weren’t always acting in their best interests. There was a real gap for genuinely independent advice, and TGE stepped into it.
Since then, the business has grown entirely around the needs of schools and Multi-Academy Trusts. Today, it’s all we do.
Why It Matters
What “Independent” Actually Means
Many organisations describe themselves as independent. But what does that really mean in practice?
For us, it means complete objectivity. We do not sell products. Every recommendation we make is driven entirely by what is right for your school.
Whether you are reviewing your current provision or procuring a new product or service, you will receive clear, unbiased advice. We provide a transparent view of your options and help you make informed decisions that align with your needs and your budget.
“It was refreshing that TGE were not trying to sell me a system but to provide advice on the most suitable solution and then obtain the best price.” Andrew Morley, Parrenthorn High School, Manchester
That’s the point. Every time.
What Schools Say
Trusted by Schools Across the UK
Proven in Practice
Over 1,500 Schools
The numbers give you a sense of the track record.
Since moving into the education sector in 2015, we have worked with over 1,500 schools and more than 80 Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK. Together, those schools have saved in excess of £20 million on technology contracts and services.
Those aren’t abstract figures. That’s money that’s gone back into classrooms, staff, and resources for children.
The experience we’ve built working with over 1,500 schools has real, practical value. We understand the supplier landscape, know what competitive pricing looks like, and recognise the difference between a strong contract and one that exposes risk.
This depth of knowledge is difficult to replicate and it’s exactly what schools benefit from when they work with us.
“We’re doing it day in, day out. Schools are very rarely able to procure at the prices we're able to.”
Phillip Allum, Managing Director, TGE Solutions
Small Team. Big Impact
A Small Team with a Personal Approach
We are a small team and that's intentional.
We have always believed that the personal side of the relationship matters. Schools are busy environments, and the people responsible for technology - Headteachers, School Business Managers, COOs, CFO's and IT Managers are often stretched thin. They don’t need another supplier to manage. They need a partner who is responsive, understands the project, and gets things done.
That is exactly what a small, specialist team delivers. You are not passed between departments, you work with the same people throughout. And because we operate on a project-by-project basis, with no ongoing retainers or subscriptions, our focus is simple: deliver the right outcome efficiently and be there when you need us again.
This is reflected consistently in feedback from the schools we support. Words such as “calm,” “painless,” “easy,” and “hassle-free” come up time and again.
Let's Talk
Working With Us
Getting started is straightforward. There’s no upfront commitment and no long-term contract to sign.
Most schools begin with a technology audit - a practical way to understand your current position, identify potential savings, and assess how your technology aligns with the DfE’s digital standards. From there, we will guide you on the next steps, whether that’s a procurement project, a cybersecurity review, or a wider strategic piece of work.
We always recommend an initial conversation first, so that we can understand your current position and objectives.
Common Questions About Working with Us
Questions We're Often Asked
Schools pay us directly for our time and expertise. We charge a fee for each project we run, whether that’s an audit, a procurement exercise, or a consultancy engagement. There are no hidden extras and no ongoing retainer fees unless a project requires them.
Not at all. We work with schools of all sizes, from small primaries through to large secondary schools and Multi Academy Trusts. In fact, for primary schools in particular, the savings uncovered during a technology audit often more than cover the cost of the audit itself.
An IT support company typically sells you a product, a service, or a contract. We don’t. We sit between you and the technology companies, providing objective advice and managing procurement on your behalf. We’re on your side of the table, not theirs.
Yes, we work with schools and trusts across the country.
It depends on the scope. An audit can be turned around relatively quickly. A full procurement project, covering everything from writing the tender to overseeing the installation and sign-off, takes longer, but we manage the whole process so the time demand on your team is minimal.
Once a project is complete and signed off, it’s closed. There’s no ongoing management fee or retainer. Many schools come back to us when they have another project in the pipeline, but there’s no obligation to do so.