200 jobs go as Positive Outcomes enters administration

Derbyshire-based training provider has entered administration after it was left off the new Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers.

The firm, which is based in South Normanton, has a Skills Funding Agency contract worth over £11m, but didn’t make the list published by the Agency when it was published last Tuesday (14 March).

According to reports, the firm, which was chaired by the SFA’s first chief executive Geoff Russell, has made all its 200 staff redundant after 20 years of trading.

Kelly Ball, joint managing director at Positive Outcomes, is reported as saying: “Unfortunately, after 20 years of trading, it is with deep regret that Positive Outcomes has had to file for administration with immediate effect.

“The board of directors have worked tirelessly to avoid this outcome. Our intention was to find a suitable buyer for the business. However, this unfortunately was not possible, resulting in the board having no alternative but to cease trading.

“Our priorities during this time are the learners and employers. We continue to work closely with the Skills Funding Agency to ensure a smooth transition to other providers with minimal disruption to them.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff who have been the company’s biggest asset over many successful years. We wish them well”.

It has also emerged that Positive Outcomes was issued with a notice of serious breach from the SFA over its financial control in November 2016.

In January this year chief executive Chris Longmate stepped down as CEO after eight years in the job.

Positive Outcomes has offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Nottingham as well as its head office in South Normanton.