Back2Work Group Acquires Just IT Training

Palatine Impact Fund Invests in Back2Work Group

October 27, 2020

Education

Palatine Private Equity's Impact Fund has taken a stake in Manchester-based Back2Work Group, a training provider that helps long-term unemployed individuals return to work and offers apprenticeships and online reskilling courses. The investment will support Back2Work's growth plan—building on recent contract wins that have driven revenues to about £11.5m and a headcount of more than 140 employees.

City & Guilds Acquires Trade Skills 4U from Palatine

November 3, 2022

Education

City & Guilds has bought Trade Skills 4U, a UK provider of electrician training and adult vocational courses, from Palatine’s Impact Fund. The acquisition transfers ownership of the business to City & Guilds to scale its electrical training provision and extend its impact on skills and apprenticeships in the UK.

BPP Education Group Acquires Estio Training from Palatine Impact Fund

November 2, 2021

Education

BPP Education Group has acquired Estio Training, a UK specialist provider of NVQ level 3 and 4 IT and digital apprenticeships, from Palatine Private Equity's Impact Fund. The deal expands BPP’s vocational and digital apprenticeship offering and follows Palatine’s 2018 investment during which Estio significantly grew revenues and learner numbers.

Babington Acquires Majority of PeoplePlus Apprenticeship Business

November 25, 2020

Education

RJD-backed Babington has agreed terms to acquire the majority of the apprenticeship business from PeoplePlus (part of Staffline Group). The deal brings around 100 employees and nearly 2,000 learners into Babington, expanding its apprenticeship programmes and customer base across England and Scotland.

BPP Acquires Firebrand Training

June 20, 2022

Education

BPP, a UK-based provider of professional and vocational higher education, has acquired Firebrand Training, a specialist IT and digital training business established in 2001. The deal expands BPP's programme portfolio—adding accelerated IT certifications, apprenticeships and bootcamps—and supports its geographic expansion across the UK and continental Europe.

Palatine Impact Backs Inclusive Employers

October 12, 2022

Staffing & HR

Palatine’s Impact Fund II has made its first investment by taking a significant stake in Inclusive Employers, the UK membership organisation focused on workplace inclusion. The investment will fund scaling of membership, business development and team expansion; founder Richard McKenna will be exiting and a new chair (John Zafar) will join the board.