Rm Regulatory News (RM.)

14 Jan 2009 07:00



Shaping education for the future with RM at BETT 2009

RM will be demonstrating innovative products designed to make learning exciting at BETT, the world's largest educational ICT event, which opens today at Olympia, London. Over the four days of the show, RM Group companies will be demonstrating new developments, introducing the latest versions of core products, and providing educational information, advice and guidance to visitors to the show.

Analyst and Investor briefings

RM will host briefings for investment analysts and institutional investors during the course of the show. These briefings will include product demonstrations, a visit to the show and presentations from the Group's senior management. A presentation will be available at www.rm.com/investors from 17:00 on Wednesday 14 January. No update on trading will be given.

Commenting on BETT, Terry Sweeney, Chief Executive of RM, said:

"2009 is the 25th BETT - RM has been there every year and I've personally been at eleven of them. As the leading international educational ICT exhibition, it's always a great opportunity to catch up with existing customers, gauge the state of the market and identify new opportunities. 

"As well as the usual array of products and services, this year we're using BETT to demonstrate technology in live teaching environments. Showing how technology can be used to create exciting future learning spaces is what our BSF and Academy customers want from us and, with the range of products and services on offer from the RM Group, it's something we're uniquely well-equipped to do. Over the course of the show we'll be building classrooms, bringing in teachers and pupils, and letting our visitors observe live lessons. 

"We're also pleased this year to be a sponsor of the Learning and Technology World Forum. This a major international conference, running alongside BETT and hosted by the UK Government, which brings together Ministers of Education from all over the world

"Alongside BETT, it's good to be announcing further good progress across the Group. We're launching Lightbox, our combined educational software business; we've been selected as an approved supplier for the Government's Home Access pilot programme, which will bring computer ownership and Internet access to disadvantaged pupils; and we're announcing that we've been appointed preferred bidder for a £2.8m BSF 'One-School Pathfinder' project at Waingels College."

For further information, please contact: 

Notes:

The RM Group is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, colleges and universities, local government and central government education departments and agencies. RM works closely with educationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improve teaching and learning. RM is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM.L, ISIN GB0002870417. 

  BETT is an annual exhibition showcasing educational technology, organised by BESA (the British Educational Suppliers Association) and EMAP. It is the year's major meeting point for the educational ICT community, attracting an audience including senior policy makers as well as teachers and school managers. With 30,000 attendees and approximately 700 exhibitors, from across the globe, it is the world's largest educational technology exhibition. 

BETT 2009 takes place at Olympia, London from 14 January to the 17 January, and will be officially opened by Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and Learners at the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

2009 is the 25th anniversary of BETT and RM has been a cornerstone exhibitor at the show throughout its history. BETT 2009 sees the Group's largest ever presence: as well as being at the heart of the main exhibition, RM is also represented in the Special Needs fringe, which runs alongside the show, and is hosting its own Shaping Education for the Future display at the adjacent Olympia 2 Conference Centre.

The Shaping Education for the Future display provides an opportunity for reflection and in-depth discussion. Through the four days of the show, 3,000 visitors are expected to attend. RM Group companies will be showing a comprehensive range of products and, during the week, RM will run a series of events and seminars designed to help educators understand how technology can contribute to building exciting future learning spaces. On Thursday and Friday, Olympia 2 will host physical teaching areas, complete with pupils, where visitors will be able to experience technology-enabled teaching at first hand.

RM Group companies can be found at:

RM - Stands C60/D60; Olympia 2

DACTA (LEGO Education) - Stand C79; Olympia 2

EasyTrace - Olympia 2

Forvus - Olympia 2

Inclusive Technology - Special Needs Fringe

RM Management Solutions - Olympia 2

Softease / Lightbox Education - Stand E60

SpaceKraft - Stand SN52

TTS - Stands P1/P5

RM made the following comments on prospects in its preliminary results announcement on 24 November 2008:

Global economic conditions are clearly challenging. However, RM operates in a resilient market: education is a priority for the developed and developing world and, in our home market, which still represents the majority of revenue, we have seen no indications of a decrease in spending. We are a financially strong group of companies: committed revenues have increased further and we have a strong balance sheet and committed bank facilities in place. With our experience, deep educational knowledge, and good cultural fit, there are opportunities ahead for all of our businesses.