Babington Business College acquires Training for Today
Babington Business College (‘Babington’) has announced the acquisition of Michael John Training Limited, which trades as Training for Today, in a move that is expected to strengthen and complement both businesses. The acquisition has been funded by sustainable growth investor Bridges Ventures (‘Bridges’) which first invested in Babington in 2009. Founded in 1974, Babington employs […]
Babington Business College (‘Babington’) has announced the acquisition of Michael John Training Limited, which trades as Training for Today, in a move that is expected to strengthen and complement both businesses. The acquisition has been funded by sustainable growth investor Bridges Ventures (‘Bridges’) which first invested in Babington in 2009.
Founded in 1974, Babington employs more than 100 staff and operates in the fast-growing vocational training sector, providing government and privately-funded apprenticeship training in accountancy, financial services and business administration. It currently works with around 1300 learners per annum with its Head Office in the East Midlands and delivering nationwide.
Bridges is an innovative specialist fund manager whose aim is to achieve both attractive financial returns for investors and social and/or environmental benefits, by investing in growing business across different sectors, including education and skills. As its main investor, Bridges has been working closely with Babington’s management team, supporting their plans to grow both organically and via acquisitions.
Training for Today is a work based learning provider, employing over 70 staff operating from 3 sites throughout the North West in Bolton, Atherton and Prestwich. It delivers training solutions across a range of applications including hairdressing and beauty therapy, health and social care, information technology, management, skills for life, business administration and customer service.
Carole Carson, Managing Director at Babington stated “This acquisition is part of our business plan to develop and add to our already established portfolio of services and to provide a presence in the North West. We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Training for Today and we look forward to working alongside their experienced team.”
Nissa Smyth, Managing Director at Training for Today, added “I want to take this opportunity to thank all our staff and partners who have worked alongside Training for Today during the last 26 years. Babington shares our commitment to learning excellence with dedicated and capable staff offering the highest quality provision. We look forward to seeing the business develop and go from strength to strength with the renewed vigour and resource that Babington’s can provide”
Garret Turley, Partner at Bridges Ventures, said: “We have been very supportive of Babington’s management team in their plans to expand their business and we are delighted to see how the company is strengthening its position within the growing vocational training sector. We believe Training for Today complements and enriches Babington’s offering and geographic reach.”
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Notes to editors:
About Babington Business College
Babington Business College are a Work-Based Learning Training Provider, founded in 1974 that provide high quality training within Accounts, Business Administration, Customer Service, Providing Financial Services, Team Leading & Management. Always at the forefront of innovation, Babington is a pioneer of the Apprenticeship programme, with the first Accountancy Apprentice in the country and the first Insurance Apprentice in the North of England.
For more information visit www.babingtonbusinesscollege.co.uk
About Training for Today
Training for Today is a family run, work based learning provider, delivering training solutions across a range of applications including business administration, customer services, hairdressing and beauty therapy (including barbering and nail services), health and social care, information technology, management and skills for life. In addition, the company offers foundation learning programmes, a range of bespoke courses for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) and programmes for unemployed adults funded via the SFA Single Adult Skills budget.
For more information visit www.trainingfortoday.co.uk
About Bridges Ventures
Bridges Ventures LLP (“Bridges Ventures”) is a sustainable growth investor established in 2002 with a mission to use its commercial expertise to achieve focused social or environmental benefit, as well as attractive returns for investors. Bridges Ventures has raised six funds to date which total almost £275m: Sustainable Growth Funds I, II and III, the Bridges Sustainable Property Fund, CarePlaces Partnership and the Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund.
Bridges currently have two property funds under management: Bridges Sustainable Property Fund and CarePlaces Fund. The Sustainable Property Fund is an entrepreneurial fund which invests in properties in regeneration areas and environmentally sustainable buildings. The CarePlaces Partnership, a partnership between Bridges Ventures and Castleoak, concentrates on first class care facilities for the elderly with a focus on sustainable design and construction.
The Bridges Sustainable Growth Funds (I, II, III) invest in growth businesses across the four impact themes of Underserved Areas, Education & Skills, Environment and Health & Well-being. The Funds typically invest up to £10m at a time in ambitious, entrepreneurial businesses including early stage, growth capital and buyouts / buy ins. Since 2002, these Funds have made equity investments totaling over £75m in 34 businesses.
For more information visit www.bridgesventures.com