IT recruitment business set for expansion after acquisition
IT recruitment business Estio Technology Recruitment, which has offices in Manchester, has been acquired by the directors of its former training division.
With other offices in Halifax, London and soon to be Leeds, the company said the deal will allow the enlarged business to provide an integrated IT offering across the north of England and London.
Estio Training started supplying and training IT apprentices in 2014, as a trading division of its larger recruitment parent company, as a direct response to address the growing skills shortage in the professional IT sector. Within a year, its growth was such that it was demerged under separate management and ownership, and incorporated as a business entity in its own right.
The deal was facilitated by a financial support package from Yorkshire Bank, and delivered by Anthony Cope.
Robert Turner, managing director for Estio Training, said: “The forthcoming introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 will mean that businesses no longer see their IT apprenticeship programmes working in isolation, but as an integral and vital part of their overall recruitment strategy. With this acquisition, Estio Training is now uniquely positioned to offer a complete recruitment and training solution to its growing client base.”
The company, which employs more than 50 staff, has ambitious growth plans, particularly in the north, where a new Leeds office is planned for the summer of 2016.
Mr Turner added: “We are fully bought-in to the vision of ‘The Northern Powerhouse’ and have ambitions to grow significantly in the two ‘capitals’ of the north, Manchester and Leeds, as well as the capital itself, London.”
Andy Davidson, head of business and private banking for Yorkshire Bank in Bradford, said: “Estio Training is a prime example of a strong northern company providing essential services across the UK. The skills agenda is a Government priority and Estio Training is helping ensure that the region remains competitive and equipped to deal with the shortage.
“The team has ambitious growth plans for the business and we look forward to helping them reach those goals.”
