At the heart of every great company is a great story, and at TrilbyTV, ours begins with two passionate edtech innovators: Benjamin Stanley and Neil Emery.
With backgrounds in technology, learning and strategy, Ben and Neil established TrilbyTV with a clear mission: Give schools a simple, effective way to celebrate student achievements, strengthen staff communications and share school life using digital signage.
What started as an idea whilst walking around schools filled with static, often switched off signage, has grown into the UK’s number one digital signage platform built by people who understand and work in education.
So, before we dive into the wider TrilbyTV team, we thought it was only right to begin with the two people who started it all…
Hey both! Let’s start with what’s your role at TrilbyTV, and how long have you been in this role?
Ben: Hi, so I’m Director and Owner of Trilby. For a bit of background, the company ‘Trilby’ was formed back in 1994, but with developing technologies and natural progression over the years, TrilbyTV as we know it started developing from 2016. Over 30 years in the EdTech industry – can you believe it?!
Neil: Me too, Director and Owner of TrilbyTV, and I joined in 2012!
How would you describe your role at TrilbyTV, and what does a ‘typical day’ look like for you (if such a thing exists!)?
Neil: I work between Sales, Relationships and Marketing, and a big part of my role is sharing the history behind TrilbyTV – our customer base, our ethos, values, and how we got to where we are. This really helps when it comes to those long-standing relationships, especially with some of the larger MAT customers.
Day to day, I manage our partnerships with the likes of Apple and Google, as well as around 10 to 12 UK resellers. I also look after some of our key MAT relationships such as Harris, Oasis, Transform and United Learning. No two days are ever the same! One minute I’m following up emails or chatting with potential Content Catalogue partners, and the next I’m jumping in to support different areas of the business, wherever my team needs me!
Ben: And while Neil’s out on the field managing partnerships and spreading the word about TrilbyTV – I have oversight of all the company operations. I work closely with department heads to ensure the overall company strategy is effectively implemented.
A typical day for me will include catching up with some of the team, reviewing company performance data, preparing for upcoming events, and working with Neil on plans for the future of TrilbyTV.
I want to ensure TrilbyTV is the best signage platform we can deliver, so I also spend time reviewing product developments, contributing to the development plans and testing.
What would you both say is the best thing about working at TrilbyTV?
Ben: We have an amazing team and I’m so proud of everyone who works here. Despite being a fully remote business, we come together well as a group of like-minded folks who are genuinely working hard to make the best product for schools that we can.
Neil: I love the culture we’ve created at TrilbyTV. The openness we have as a company and as a group, where everyone has a voice and is encouraged to use it.
Personally or professionally, what have you achieved recently that’s made you proud?
Ben: I trained as a qualified Counsellor a few years back, and I’ve recently completed a Coaching for Counsellors qualification. Returning to formal studies is something that gets harder as work and life gets busy, however, I always make sure I find time to grow my skillset as I love learning.
Neil: I’d have to say my most recent charity challenge. Riding 400 miles over nine days raising money and awareness for Mind Charity UK.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Ben: Being able to slow down time, so I can fit more into the day, learning to play the piano for example.
Neil: I’d like a suit like Iron Man, and to be as cool as Tony Stark!
(Between Ben’s time bending, and Neil’s level of cool – we think they’ve got their superpowers covered already!)
Quickfire now – favourite film, hidden talent and most importantly… cats or dogs?
Neil: American Graffiti, I can play drums, and cats!
Ben: Argo, not sure about hidden talents, but 100% cats!
And that’s a wrap on our very first Meet the Team feature!
From vision and strategy to partnerships and pausing clocks, Ben and Neil are the driving force behind TrilbyTV’s journey so far. But of course, they’re two parts of a much bigger picture.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing more of the brilliant people who make TrilbyTV what it is today. Stay tuned for the next chapter – you won’t want to miss it!