I-graduate was founded in 2005 by Will and Lindsay Archer. Will Archer (pictured) will continue to lead the business and will head up integration of i-graduate’s offerings with Tribal’s existing financial benchmarking and analytic capabilities.

Tribal has paid an initial £2.86m on completion of the deal, with a maximum consideration of up to £7.5m to be paid depending on i-graduate’s earnings until December 2015. The research it produces will be combined with the group’s existing software which intends to support adult learning, careers and professional development and provides education inspections and improvement services internationally.

Tribal CEO Keith Evans said: “Our strategic priority is to provide our customers with evidence-based systems and solutions that will support the ongoing improvement of educational outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative technology-based benchmarking and analytics is a cornerstone of the evidence base. This acquisition will enable us to strengthen our capabilities in this exciting and emerging area.”

Will Archer said: “Our work with educators around the world has reached a scale and a significance that requires an advanced level of technical skills, platforms and support. Joining forces with Tribal will accelerate the development of our services and will enhance the support we provide to educators worldwide.”