BGF-backed education recruitment firm makes further education acquisition
Mon, 18 Dec 2023 | BUSINESS SALE
Operam Education Group, an education recruitment specialist backed by BGF and HSBC, has made its first acquisition in the further education (FE) market with a deal for Nottingham-based Provision Recruitment.
Provision Recruitment was founded in 2004 and has since established a solid reputation within the FE market, helping colleges to recruit lecturers. The deal is Operam’s third acquisition in the Midlands, following its takeovers of Teachers UK and First For Education.
As well as strengthening its geographical footprint, the acquisition enables Operam to expand into the UK’s FE sector, adding to its existing expertise in primary, secondary, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and tutoring recruitment.
Eddie Austin, Chief Executive of Operam, commented: "Traditionally, the business has focused on mainstream and SEND education, as part our buy-and-build growth ambitions. This is our first acquisition in the further education sector which enables us to broaden our reach, both from a geographical and sector perspective, integrating a well-established businesses into the group that has real potential to scale across different locations in the UK.”
"This latest acquisition is hugely complementary to our existing suite of services and means we now have the ability to support those in education right from primary school settings through to further education."
Operam’s buy-and-build growth strategy was boosted last year when BGF committed a further £2.5 million of follow-on funding, alongside £2.5 million of senior debt from HSBC.
BGF investor Rob Johnson said that Provision Recruitment was “another exciting addition to the Operam portfolio” and would “further diversify both our service offering and client base”.
Johnson added: “We look forward to welcoming Provision into the group, as we continue to cement Operam's position as one of the leading education recruitment services providers in the UK."
Find out more about M&A trends in the UK's recruitment sector
Share this article
Latest Professional and Financial Businesses for Sale
Hybrid Agency / B2B Professional Services
UK Wide
This is a well established B2B provider of sales and marketing strategy and services delivering improved processes and outcomes in marketing activity.
Well-Established Business
UK Wide
The company is a well-regarded and reliable provider of unsecured personal loans, offering loans of up to £2,500 for individuals across England and Wales. Loans are repayable in instalments via direct debit or CPA.
Consultancy, Training, Engineering and CQV
UK Wide
The group provides consultancy and training across a wide range of specialisms within the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device sectors. In addition, the group offers engineering and CQV services for sterilisation, depyrogenation, thermal syste...