In the latest instalment of our education facilities & IT procurement executive interview series we speak to Chris Grandy, Senior VP International Sales at Engage2Serve, about growing complexities and cost concerns in the technology sector, the opportunities for smart innovations and solutions created by those conditions, the impact of AI when it comes to engagement and efficiency, and leveraging CRM to create stronger human relationships with students…
Tell us about your company, products and services.
At Engage2Serve, we help schools, colleges, and universities connect with their students in a smarter, more personal way. Our modular Student Lifecycle CRM supports every stage of the student journey: recruitment, success, and alumni engagement. It brings communication, automation, and analytics together within one secure platform designed specifically for education.
Our goal is to help institutions strengthen engagement, streamline processes, and deliver measurable results across enrolment, retention, and wellbeing. From first enquiry to graduation and beyond, we make it easier for staff and students to stay informed, supported, and connected.
What have been the biggest challenges the Education Procurement industry has faced over the past 12 months?
The past year has been defined by financial pressure and uncertainty. Funding constraints, delayed budgets, and shifting priorities have made it difficult for institutions to plan with confidence. Many are being asked to improve student outcomes while managing rising costs and leaner teams.
There is also growing complexity in the technology market. The rapid increase in AI-based products has created confusion for buyers trying to understand what genuinely works. Procurement teams need clarity, transparency, and confidence that a solution will deliver measurable results.
For Engage2Serve, this has created a strong opportunity to demonstrate how a purpose-built, modular platform can simplify procurement, reduce duplication, and deliver clear value from day one.
What have been the biggest opportunities?
These challenges have also opened new doors. Institutions are becoming more selective, looking for flexible, scalable systems that provide fast results and long-term value. There is growing demand for modular platforms that can be implemented quickly and expanded over time.
AI, when used responsibly, is another major opportunity. It can help identify patterns in student behaviour, automate repetitive tasks, and provide insight that enables timely intervention. Used well, it allows staff to focus their time on the personal interactions that matter most.
What is the biggest priority for the Education Procurement industry in 2025?
The biggest priority will be aligning technology investment with measurable student outcomes. In the UK, new regulations will link tuition fee flexibility to quality metrics, so institutions will need to show clear evidence of improved student experience, wellbeing, and performance. Similar priorities are emerging internationally.
Procurement teams will focus on technologies that support student engagement, improve retention, and strengthen institutional reputation. Value for money will remain critical but so will impact and evidence.
What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2026?
AI-driven, student-focused systems will continue to gain ground across schools, colleges, and universities. Institutions want tools that provide real-time insight, allowing them to respond quickly to student needs. Personalised communication, early intervention, and predictive analytics will move from being optional to expected.
We’ll also see closer collaboration between academic, wellbeing, and IT teams as institutions work to create a single, unified view of the student journey.
What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this coming year?
Artificial Intelligence will continue to have the biggest impact, especially when used to improve engagement and efficiency. The focus will shift from experimentation to real results. The most effective applications will be those that make life easier for staff and students rather than replacing human judgement.
At Engage2Serve, AI already plays an important role in identifying disengagement, predicting trends, and helping teams act faster to support students.
In 2026 we’ll all be talking about…?
Funding, AI, and student outcomes will remain key themes. Immigration policy and international recruitment will continue to influence strategy, and institutions will look for new ways to build resilience and diversify their student base.
Most of all, the conversation will be about how schools, colleges, and universities use technology to build stronger, more human relationships with their students.
Which person in, or associated with, the Education Procurement industry would you most like to meet?
Simon Marginson. His research on higher education systems and global competition has shaped thinking across the sector. It would be fascinating to discuss how technology and data can help deliver the kind of access, equity, and quality he writes about.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the Education Procurement sector?
The most surprising thing has been how much successful procurement depends on people rather than process. Even with detailed frameworks in place, real progress comes from trust, clarity, and shared purpose between suppliers and institutions.
I have also found that procurement can be a powerful driver of change. What begins as a search for software often sparks wider conversations about student experience, data, and collaboration across teams. When institutions see procurement as part of their transformation rather than just an administrative step, the results are far more meaningful.
You go to the bar at the Education Forum – what’s your tipple of choice?
A pint of bitter, followed later in the evening by a whisky.
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
The most exciting aspect is seeing the difference that our products make once implemented in educational institutions. There is real satisfaction in knowing we are providing solutions that have a positive impact on students and staff.
And what’s the most challenging?
The most challenging part has building awareness of our products and getting in front of the right people at the right time. Many potential customers simply don’t know about the solutions available, so generating awareness and making connections is a constant challenge.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
If you have an unhappy customer, don’t send an email. Pick up the phone.
Succession or Stranger Things?
I am yet to watch either, but I do enjoy watching The Great British Bake Off and The Traitors.
