Armstrong in tune with Access to Music

A MANCHESTER provider of music education is hoping to hit the right note with its latest acquisition.

Armstrong Learning has bought Access to Music, which operates 10 music centres around the UK, for an undisclosed seven-figure sum.

Armstrong was established in 2001 by Adrian Armstrong to provide training programmes to help unemployed musicians, DJs and programmers find work, and the company delivers the ‘New Deal for musicians’ across England on behalf of Jobcentre Plus. 

Access to Music was set up in 1992 with the aim of improving music training across the UK. It employs more than 250 people and its clients include the Learning & Skills Council, London Development Agency, Westminster University and the Music Education Council.    

The combined businesses have a turnover of £8.5m however both will retain their own brand identities.

Mr Armstrong said: “Access to Music is a well established business with an excellent reputation in the market. There is a great deal of synergy between both businesses and we believe that we can use the benefits of the enlarged organisation to take advantage of the rapidly converging skills and employability agendas.”

Funding for the deal was provided by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Andy Thomas, associate director at RBS, added: “Both Armstrong Learning and Access to Music have excellent track records and their respective strengths will complement each other.  The enlarged organisation will benefit from economies of scale and we look forward to watching its development.”