The Story of Rocco Education
Your Education Procurement Specialist
In a world where schools are busier than ever, budgets are tighter than ever, and inboxes are fuller than ever, two education procurement specialists looked around and asked the obvious question:
“Surely there’s a better way to connect schools with the right support, the right suppliers, and the right opportunities – without endless emails, confusing procurement hoops, and yet another ‘informative’ conference with a sad biscuit tray?”
Spoiler alert: there wasn’t.
At least, not until Rocco Education arrived.
The Problem
- Schools today need more than just products and services – they need trusted partnerships, clear funding pathways, reliable information, and real support.
- Suppliers, meanwhile, are full of innovative solutions but often struggle to reach the right schools, at the right time, in a way that feels helpful rather than pushy.
Procurement processes are complicated
Budgets are limited
Time is non-existent.
And genuine connections? They’re harder to find than a functioning printer on a Monday morning.
Why Now?
Because education can’t afford to wait.
Post-pandemic pressures, funding uncertainties, and growing expectations have made it harder than ever for schools and suppliers to work together efficiently. The old ways — cold calls, spam emails, crowded expos — just don’t cut it anymore.
- Schools deserve better partnerships.
- Suppliers deserve smarter opportunities.
- Education deserves a better way forward.
And that way forward is Rocco Education.
Why Us?
Because we’re not just event organisers, marketers, or funding advisers — we’re all of it, wrapped into one powerful support network for schools and suppliers. We’re your education procurement specialist.
Events are our primary vehicle: high-quality, high-impact gatherings that connect schools with carefully vetted suppliers in a way that’s human, practical, and beneficial for everyone.
Through Rocco Education, schools can also gain access to:
- Funding advice and finders
- Education news, insights, and sector data
- Bid-writing and finance solutions
- A hand-picked directory of qualified suppliers who genuinely deliver value
- Access to exclusive discounts
Meanwhile, suppliers gain access to meaningful sales and marketing services — opportunities designed not to “sell at” schools, but to build real partnerships based on trust, need, and shared success.
We know schools
We know suppliers
And we know how to build connections that last
At Rocco Education, we believe in making education better by making connections stronger — with less noise, more value, and (wherever possible) better biscuits.
Welcome to the future of school support and supplier success.
Welcome to Rocco Education.
Meet The Team
David Esser
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With 25 years in sales and marketing, 18 of those in the education sector, I bring a practical, grounded perspective to both school leaders and suppliers. Over the years, I’ve supported more than 1,000 school-led projects, particularly in outdoor learning environments like playgrounds, sports pitches, and outdoor classrooms. That experience means I understand the real-world challenges schools face when it comes to procurement.
My background includes formal training through the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), the Open University, and the Chartered Institute of Marketing, alongside years of working closely with suppliers to shape successful go-to-market strategies. I specialise in helping education businesses grow, whether that’s through refining sales messaging, building lead pipelines, or strengthening CRM systems and sales processes.
Public procurement and tendering are also areas I know well. For schools, that means support grounded in best value and compliance. For suppliers, it’s about presenting offers clearly and credibly to decision-makers.
At Rocco Education, I lead supplier strategy and engagement – always focused on creating value through meaningful, well-timed connections.
Jess Tilston
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More than a decade in education marketing has shown me what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to connecting schools with the solutions they need. Before starting Rocco, I managed marketing for a leading education supplier, running campaigns that consistently delivered results and opened doors.
I specialise in helping suppliers find the right routes to market, with messaging and strategies that resonate. Formal training from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, with a focus on digital, complements my practical experience in lead generation, campaign design, and supplier growth.
Alongside the creative work, I also support suppliers with tender writing and funding bids, drawing on a solid understanding of public procurement processes. Schools benefit too, from suppliers who are better equipped to deliver real value.
What matters most to me is relationships. I’m naturally people-focused, and schools and suppliers often comment on my friendly, professional approach and attention to detail. At Rocco, I lead our marketing and customer experience – always working to make things clear, human, and effective.
What’s in a Name?
At Rocco Education, we believe names carry meaning—and Rocco is no exception.
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The name Rocco is often associated with strength, protection, and support. That resonated with us. In a sector as vital as education, where trust, resilience, and connection matter most, we wanted a name that stood for stability and impact.
But the truth is, our choice was also personal.
Jess, one of founders, once had favourite car, a VW Scirocco – affectionately nicknamed “Rocco.” The car was a symbol of independence, character, and momentum. When we started building our business, we found ourselves using “Rocco” as a placeholder name in files and folders. Over time, it stuck.
It was unique. It felt like us. And most importantly – it stood out.
From a practical perspective, Rocco offered a strong identity. It wasn’t generic, and it wasn’t forgettable. It gave us space to build a brand that felt fresh, memorable, and unencumbered by corporate jargon or tired acronyms.
So when it came time to launch, we embraced it fully—Rocco Education was born.
Today, the name captures everything we stand for: impact, integrity and connection. We’re here to make school procurement more human, to bring schools and suppliers together with purpose, and to drive meaningful outcomes.
Rocco isn’t just a name. It’s a promise.
Want to have a conversation with the Rocco Team?
We would love to talk to you about how we may be able to help!
