Award-winning driving school swoops for Castle Donington firm

A Castle Donington fleet driver training business has been snapped up by an award-winning private equity backed driving school.

County Durham-based RED Driving School, which is backed by Trimountain Partners, Ashridge Capital and Downing The NFE Group, has acquired the NFE Group for an undisclosed sum.

NFE CEO Andy Neale will continue to lead the business following the deal.

He said: “NFE has worked hard to get to where it is in the fleet risk management industry and has also developed a leading position in the health and wellbeing market related to driver training. Now with the support and backing of the RED team, we are very excited about the future opportunities that this will bring. Having spent some time looking around for the right fit we are delighted to be joining the RED brand to continuing our journey.”

RED Driving School won the 2018 First Car National Driving School of the Year prize and received a Platinum Trusted Service award from Feefo earlier this year.

CEO Ian McIntosh, said: “RED has developed into one of the most successful driving schools in the UK and it was logical move for us to move into the fleet driver training market. With the acquisition of the NFE Group with its very experienced management team, we will be very well equipped to meet the needs of our clients across the UK and further consolidate our position in this very important market for us.”

Ali Khanbhai, partner and co-founder of Trimountain Partners, added: “We are excited to accelerate our growth in the fleet driver training market and, together with RED driving school, enhance the strength of our driver training proposition.”

RED Driving School was advised by Muckles and UNW, while the NFE Group was advised by Avondale and Gunnercooke.