A small specialist communications firm has seen off national rivals to clinch a £2.5 million IT contract at a ground-breaking student accommodation project in Bradford.

Cottingley-based Exa Networks beat big hitters such as Virgin and BT to secure a 20-year contract to install and manage internet connections at The Green, an eco-friendly student village which is part of a £150 million development at Bradford University.

It forms part of the planned £750 million Bradford Learning Quarter incorporating a business innovations centre and healthcare facilities.

Exa Networks, which grew turnover by 70 per cent to £2.5 million in 2010, will be opening a new data centre at The Green, which, in addition to serving student residents, will also offer local organisations lower-cost high-speed internet connections.

Exa Networks specialises in IT connectivity, networking and specialist software for businesses and the education sector.

Managing director Mark Cowgill said the 16-strong firm would be expanding its workforce to 20 by the end of the year to handle further expansion.

The company already operates in France, Germany and Holland and is looking to break into the Middle East and Asia with a new version of its Serve Protect internet content filtering system.

Originally designed for the education sector, the system is now being used by businesses.

The company provides IT services to 75 Bradford schools and the new data centre will enable it to widen its reach to schools and local businesses.

Mr Cowgill said: “It is tremendously exciting to be involved in The Green and also to have the opportunity to make massive improvements to the digital infrastructure in Bradford city centre.

“Winning The Green contract is the cherry on the cake for us and provides a substantial long-term deal.

“Opening the new data centre is crucial for the development of the business and will enable us to offer internet services to a wide range of local businesses and organisations, including the Westfield shopping mall as and when it happens.

“It will also hopefully contribute to the regeneration of Bradford city centre by helping to attract more businesses.”

The Green, a project by Mi7 Developments, aims to be the first student accommodation in the UK to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating, the highest award for sustainable building development.

  • Read the full story in Wednesday's T&A