TIB Services Named Finalist in Two Categories at the 2026 Education Resources Awards

We are incredibly proud to announce that TIB Services has been shortlisted for two awards at the Education Resources Awards (ERA) 2026.

Now in its 28th year, the ERAs are widely regarded as the "benchmark of excellence" within the education sector. To be recognised in these categories is a testament to our dedication to raising standards in school estates management.

Celebrating excellence and collaboration

We have been recognised for our growth as a specialist supplier and our commitment to deep, strategic partnerships that deliver measurable results for multi-academy trusts.

Supplier of the Year (£1m – £10m Turnover)

This category focuses on suppliers that provide safe, high-quality services to meet the modern needs of schools. Our entry focused on:

The "unretired" specialist: Our unique model targets military veterans, former emergency services personnel, tradespeople, and engineers. We now have a pool of over 12,000 candidates dedicated to supporting their local communities and making a difference to schools across the UK.
Operational stability: We cut over two months of operational disruption due to site team gaps to less than two weeks, ensuring school sites remain safe and compliant.
Growth and reliability: Our continual development reflects the trust schools place in our specialist caretaking services and our ability to scale to meet rising demand.

Collaboration Between School & Supplier (With Astrea Academy Trust)

This award celebrates innovative collaborations that drive operational excellence. Our work across Astrea’s 26 academies transformed a fragmented recruitment process into a centralised, efficient model:

3,000+ hours reclaimed: We saved over 3,000 hours of Senior Leadership Team (SLT) time annually, allowing leaders to focus on student outcomes.*
10-15% operational savings: By providing skilled site staff who can handle technical maintenance, we reduced the trust's reliance on expensive external contractors.
Strategic excellence: Our Priority Service ensures all 26 schools have fast-tracked access to KCSIE-vetted, specialist-trained staff.

* Calculation: (3 hours of SLT time per week x 26 schools) x 39 teaching weeks = 3,042 hours

To see exactly how this partnership with Astrea Academy Trust has transformed site operations across the trust, take a look at our detailed case study here. It dives deeper into the daily impact our team has had across Astrea's 26 academies.

A message from our Managing Director

"Being shortlisted for the ERAs is a significant milestone for us. It is an honour to see our commitment to site safety and operational efficiency celebrated at this level. Our partnership with Astrea Academy Trust proves that when schools and specialist suppliers work in genuine collaboration, the ultimate winners are the staff and students."

Nick Orde-Powlett - Managing Director, TIB Services

Building on our award-winning record

This shortlisting comes during what has already been a standout period for TIB Services.

September 2024: Won Recruitment Agency of the Year (10–19 employees) at the Recruiter Awards for our strong social impact and commitment to prioritising people over profits.
October 2024: Won the Business Scale-Up Award at the Soldiering On Awards, celebrating our success in supporting military veterans into meaningful, rewarding work.
November 2025: Highly Commended for both Specialist Recruitment Agency of the Year and Candidate Experience of the Year at the British Recruitment Awards.

See the impact for yourself

We believe that every school deserves a dedicated, skilled, and community-minded site team. When the buildings are well-maintained, teachers can teach and students can thrive.

Want to see our caretakers in action? Explore our case studies to see how our caretakers are making a difference, or get in touch to find out how we can support your school or trust.