Further education trade body snaps up hospitality organisation

Nottingham-based Skills and Education Group has acquired hospitality sector training body BIIAB Qualifications.

Nottingham based Skills and Education Group is a membership body for further education and skills providers. It also offers awarding and end-point assessments for work-based learning providers, employers and FE colleges through its additional brands Skills and Education Group Awards and Skills and Education Group Access.

Established over 20 years ago, the BIIAB is the awarding body of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and specialises in work-based learning, providing a range of commercial vocational qualifications to businesses operating in the licensed hospitality and retail sector.

Commenting on the acquisition, Paul Eeles, chief executive of Skills and Education Group, said: “I am delighted that BIIAB is joining Skills and Education Group. I am hugely passionate about the sector, just as much as I am about further education, and I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to bring these two things together.

“As we look to the future, having a qualified and skilled workforce is critical to the success of the hospitality industry. I am really looking forward to working closely with the BII to continue to champion the industry’s workforce with key stakeholders.”

A Browne Jacobson team comprising corporate finance partner Richard Cox and senior associate Sam Sharp advised Skills and Education Group.

Cox said: “Bringing BIIAB under Skills and Education Group’s diverse product portfolio strengthens our clients position in the marketplace in continuing to meet local, national, and international skills needs as well as ensuring BIIAB is the nationally recognised awarding body of choice for the hospitality industry.”