Strengthening our IT foundations: key milestones achieved and next steps ahead
30 Jul 2026
Significant improvements to the University's IT infrastructure, security and digital services have been successfully delivered through the Evolve Programme, providing stronger foundations to support colleagues and students across the University.
The completion of major work to modernise infrastructure and colleague and student computing services marks an important milestone in our University's digital transformation journey. These improvements have enhanced the reliability, resilience and security of core IT services while creating a platform for future innovation.
To recognise this achievement, colleagues involved in delivering these changes came together to reflect on what has been achieved and celebrate the contribution of the many teams and individuals involved over the years.
What are colleagues most proud of?
At the celebration event, colleagues involved in the programme's achievements shared what they are most proud of.
- Watch the video: Celebrating the Evolve Programme - July 2026
Building stronger foundations for the future
Launched in Autumn 2022 to address critical IT stability, security and resilience challenges, the Evolve Programme has helped modernise the University's digital estate and establish foundations that support both today's operations and our future Manchester 2035 ambitions.
Benefits for teaching and learning
Key achievements – from an all-colleague perspective:
The big picture:
- A better student experience – improvements across IT services have contributed to a significant increase in student satisfaction, with NSS scores for IT resources and facilities improving by more than 17% since 2022.
- A better colleague experience – Colleague confidence in workplace technology is improving, with a 12% increase in staff reporting they have the equipment and technology they need to do their role. (Your Voice Matters survey 2026).
A closer look:
- Students can learn from more locations - AppsAnywhere enables students to access software in more locations, giving greater flexibility around where and how they study. As more apps are made available via student’s own devices, this could also reduce dependence on PC clusters.
- More reliable teaching spaces - Teaching sessions start on time thanks to faster log on, and more dependable PCs are reducing pressure on timetables.
- Fewer interruptions - As your digital services are more reliable. Investment in infrastructure resilience, backup and monitoring has reduced the risk of disruption, helping ensure students and colleagues can rely on critical services when they need them most.
- Safer digital environment - Enhanced cyber security has strengthened protection for University systems and data, giving colleagues and students greater confidence in the services they use every day.
- Faster delivery of digital services - A modern integration platform enables new services and system changes to be delivered more quickly and reliably, reducing manual effort and improving the experience across multiple University systems.
- Smarter technology investment - Strategic application roadmaps are helping the University to reduce duplication and focus investment where it delivers the greatest value.
Colleague and Student Compute Sponsor, Krista Robbie said:
“The ways of working set out in the Delivery Handbook have truly been brought to life through the Evolve Programme. For example, in delivering AppsAnywhere, we co-designed with teaching academics, took an incremental delivery approach, tested early and scaled what worked; sequencing, pacing and supporting colleagues and students through transitions.”
A platform for future progress
Reflecting on the programme's impact, Chief Information Officer PJ Hemmaway said:
"When the programme started four years ago there had been 20 years of underinvestment in IT Services. Evolve has stabilised services and moved the dial – it's created the foundation for the University's future digital transformation to be built on top. The improvements underpin our work, teaching, learning and research every day – often in ways that are most noticeable when things just work. Thank you to everyone who has contributed – together you have given us a much better position from which to work towards our digital inside and out goals.”
Next steps
After successfully completing the Infrastructure and Colleague & Student Compute projects, the Evolve Programme is entering a new phase and reducing in size with a more streamlined leadership model.
The remaining work will now continue under the Identity and Access Management (IdAM) Programme and Integrations Project (with governance shifting to their own programme boards), and the Environments Project.