About the Company
The Academia Technology Group, founded in 2003, is a fast-growing group of technology companies. We only partner with world-class vendors such as Apple, Adobe, Microsoft and HP to provide elite technology solutions across a range of markets including the private and public sectors and pro media sector.
We are proud to be awarded with the highest vendor accreditations and other prestigious awards including being placed in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 for 5 years in a row. Our in-house Managed Services team provide cloud, connectivity and mobile solutions and we are fully ISO 27001, 14001 and 9001 compliant.
Founded in 1992, ucisa is the member-led professional body for digital practitioners in education. Open and inclusive, they work together to use collective technical knowledge and digital expertise to help transform teaching, learning and research by supporting operational efficiency and an excellent student experience. ucisa is a registered not-for-profit charity and supports its community by running a wide range of events and conferences, backed up with surveys, reports and best practice tool-kits and guides that help members better meet the ever-increasing digital demands of twenty-first-century education in the UK.
Teamwork
We value each member of our team and encourage open and honest communication. We give people responsibility and accountability within a supportive environment. Opinions and new ideas are welcomed from all team members and it is these ideas that help shape how we work.
Innovation
We listen to our customers and provide the most innovative solutions. We embrace new ways of working and work in a continually evolving environment.
Integrity
We treat our customers and suppliers with respect, building relationships based on mutual openness and honesty. Consistently exceeding customer expectations is how we grow our business.
Ambition
We strive to be leaders in all we do and refuse to compromise on quality. We are a highly enthusiastic team working in a high energy environment. We seek talented individuals who are developed and promoted to reach their potential.
Mike Bacon
Founder & Managing Director
With a background in IT sales, Mike founded the company in 2003 and has loved the challenge of growing a business “from scratch”. Although the business is much bigger than it was 14 years ago, Mike remains involved in day-to-day activities and is committed to knowing all his staff on an individual level. When Mike’s not working, he loves spending time with his wife and 3 children. He also enjoys Golf, West Ham and skiing.
Ashley Messina
HR & Operations Director
Ashley joined Academia in 2015 with a broad range of knowledge and expertise from both large corporate and SME environments. Her focus as Operations Director is not only on driving efficiencies and customer service across the delivery of projects and business support, but she also leads our internal focus on people through our HR team and people strategy. Mum to a busy toddler and keen Springbok rugby fan, we’re still correcting her on her calling football ‘soccer’.
Mark McCormack
Sales Director
Mark joined Academia in 2009, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge from 15 years of experience in the Apple Solutions market. His expertise lies in business development, strategic key account management and sales. Mark is an avid sports fan with a passion for QPR and membership of England FA.
Tim Gillott
Finance Director
Tim is our Finance Director. With a background in IT Services and Software development he is helping to drive the company’s growth into a broader range of offerings to both our existing customer base and to new sectors. He enjoys golf and is partial to home brewing.
James Dancer
Technical Director
James joined Academia in 2010 and has since worked his way up through the ranks being promoted to Technical Manager and then becoming Technical Director in 2013. James is now responsible for Technical Services, Managed Services, Systems, eCommerce and Technical Sales. Prior to his days in the channel, he was a music and video editor and worked on 2 BAFTA Award winning animated TV series.
