Academy trust facing legal challenge over award of £2m software contract

A large academy school trust faces litigation from a firm that lost out in the award of an IT contract.

United Learning, which runs more than 70 schools from Cumbria to Kent, in June chose supplier Arbor to provide its management information system in a contract worth some £2m.

This has been challenged by rival Bromcom, which has said the award process was unlawful.

Law firm Stone King said United Learning was “extremely disappointed that – following a lengthy, transparent and robust procurement process – Bromcom Computers has chosen to pursue what the trust believes is an unjustified claim.

“The trust is resolute that it has acted correctly and will continue to vigorously defend the claim accordingly.”

Bromcom did not respond to a request for comment.