Schools do not exist to run technology. They exist to educate—and every technology decision must ultimately improve the experience of teachers and learners.

In this episode of The Channel Zone Podcast, Mark Edwards is joined by Max Feneck, Go-to-Market and Alliance Director at RM Technology.

Max traces his journey from studying aerospace engineering and entering technology almost by accident to building a career across marketing, managed services, alliances and go-to-market strategy. His experience includes Guardian IT, SunGard, NTT and Ingram Micro before moving into education technology with RM.

The conversation explores how selling to schools differs from selling to large enterprises. While a bank or multinational may employ specialist IT teams and measure success through commercial returns, schools must evaluate technology according to the time, money and effort it releases for education.

Max explains how classrooms are changing, why providing every pupil with a device is only part of the answer, and how RM’s educational consultants help teachers use technology effectively.

They also consider the opportunities and risks presented by AI. Adoption remains inconsistent, with concerns around online safety and plagiarism balanced by the potential to provide personalised tuition and identify where individual pupils need additional support.

Max also discusses digital poverty, device recycling and programmes that return money and refurbished technology to schools and families.

From his first Commodore Amiga to AI-assisted learning, this is a thoughtful conversation about technology, education and using commercial experience to create genuine social value.