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Company history

Espresso Broadband Ltd was formed in February 1997 by former Editor of Blue Peter Lewis Bronze and technology strategist Tony Bowden. Lewis' creative flair and passion for education and Tony's vision of the potential of broadband satellite transmission were the driving forces behind the development of the company.

The initial concept was to find a way of delivering video news to the classroom, news that would be regularly updated and add meaning and relevance to the curriculum being taught in schools.

The idea soon expanded to include the creation of video-rich multimedia educational modules, which would use video to demonstrate concepts and motivate pupils to think and learn, supported by an information resource culled largely from the Internet. Satellite delivery meant that none of the delays familiar to all Internet users would be suffered by Espresso subscribers.

From there, it was a short step to decide to offer a broader educational service, the Espresso for Primary service, which provides curriculum-focused video and activities, TV and news items and the best websites from the Internet.

Espresso Milestones

August 1998: the European Space Agency (ESA) funds Espresso to bring its innovative concept to market, as part of the ARTES-3 project.
January 2000: Following successful trials, Espresso for Primary launches as a commercial service at BETT.
January 2002: Espresso for Secondary launches at BETT.
March 2002: Richard McGrath joins the company as Managing Director with responsibility for establishing a strong position for Espresso in a rapidly developing education market.
July 2002: Espresso signs a distribution agreement with the London Grid for Learning.
Sept 2002: Espresso becomes official sponsor of the launch of the DfES's Citizenship curriculum.
January 2003: Foundation / Early Years launches at BETT 2003.
February 2003: Espresso signs up its 1,000th active subscribing school.
June 2003: Schools updating via broadband technology overtake schools updating by satellite.
December 2003: The first Espresso direct-to-home service launches via ntl broadband.
January 2004: Espresso Education wins two awards at BETT 2004 - Best Online resource and Best Educational Software (Early Years & Primary).
December 2004: Espresso joins forces with CLEO to deliver our primary service to 850 schools in Cumbria & Lancashire.
January 2005: Independent Television News (ITN) makes a strategic investment in Espresso
March 2005: Espresso wins the Supplier of the Year Award at the Education Resource Awards 2005
March 2006 – Espresso Education acquires Netmedia Education, a market leader in the provision of learning platforms and educational portals.
September 2006 – Espresso Primary is recognised with a Learning on Screen award.
September 2006 – Espresso Education is ranked 80 in the sixth annual Tech Track 100 league table, produced by The Sunday Times.
January 2007 – Espresso’s Toy Design Module is Highly Commended at the 2007 BETT Awards.
January 2007 - Netmedia Education is approved as one of the 10 Becta "Learning Platform Services Framework Suppliers”
March 2007 - Espresso Education is awarded the European Seal of Excellence for 2007 - Silver.
March 2007 – Espresso Education acquires Channel 4 Learning to become the definitive place for video–based learning for schools.
March 2007 – Espresso Primary wins the Education Resource Award for Primary ICT.
March 2007 – Channel 4 Learning’s Extra@ Interactive DVD wins the Education Resource Award for Primary ICT.

Today and the future

We aim to be the chosen, trusted provider of educational ICT resources.

Today, we are proud to be working with pupils and teachers in over 6,000 schools all around the country. As technology becomes an everyday feature of school life and schools become accountable for its instructional use, we believe that Espresso will help make the teaching and learning experience better for all.

Our vision is to raise standards in the classroom using resources that are fun, engaging and easy-to-use, yet firmly grounded in the curriculum.

Espresso is a Curriculum Online Registered Content Provider. Use your Electronic Learning Credits (eLCs) to subscribe to your chosen Espresso service. More...