3aaa spent £1.6m of government money on sports sponsorship, say reports
Stricken Derby-based traning firm 3aaa will continue to sponsor Derbyshire County Cricket Club despite collapsing into administration last week.
3aaa has sponsored Derbyshire for over five years and the cricket club’s ground was re-named the 3aaa County Ground as part of a deal that FE Week says it worth £500,000 and is part of £1.6m of government-funded cash that has been spent on deals with sports clubs.
In a statement, Derbyshire CCC sadid: “The Club will continue to monitor the situation.
“At this time, our thoughts are with the staff and apprentices who are impacted and we hope a positive outcome can be achieved.
“The Club are unable to make any further comment at this time.”
FE Week reports that other sponsorship deals signed by 3aaa include: £382,610 with Derby County Football Club; £203,999 with Norwich Football Club; £175,800 with Rotherham Football Club; £146,160 with Leicester Tigers; £132,900 with Reading Football Club; £50,000 with the Derbyshire FA; £46,200 with Birmingham City Football Club; £28,750 with Norwich Community Football Club; and £25,000 with Team Rallye.
Some 500 jobs and 4,500 apprenticeships are at risk after 3aaa entered administration last week.
The news comes a month after the co-founders of 3aaa resigned after an Education and Skills Funding Agency investigation (ESFA) investigation into the company following unknown claims by a whistleblower.
Peter Marples and Di McEvoy-Robinson, the company’s chief executive and director respectively, resigned from their posts.
A statement on the company’s website reads: “We apologies for any inconvenience, the company has now entered administration and will no longer be accepting any further business. All the best for all employers, 3aaa apprentices and staff in the future.”
3aaa’s allocation for apprenticeships was at almost £31m by the end of 2017/18, up from £14.5m at the start of the academic year.
