Training provider expands with acquisition of Midlands rival

A WORCESTERSHIRE recruitment and training provider has expanded with the acquisition of a Midlands rival in an undisclosed deal.

The acquisition of Northampton-based training firm Options extends the reach of the eResponse Group to three counties – Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

Options was founded in 2006 and provides functional skills and apprenticeship training to people and businesses from a variety of sectors including retail, manufacturing and contact centres. Its clients include Asda and convenience food maker Greencore Group.

The business employs seven people with founder and director Jane Wise remaining in the business as part of the deal.

Paul Alekna, managing director of eResponse Group said: “Options has built a hard-earned reputation in the industry for its approach and how it delivers a first-class level of training.

“We ourselves have built an outstanding training division in recent years so the opportunity to bring Options into the group was an easy decision to make.

“It is a business whose ethos and drive for quality are absolutely in line with our own and we look forward to moving forward together.”

eResponse plans to grow the Options team, with six new positions being lined up.

“We believe it is worth investing in an organisation that trains people to be ready for work and equips them with the skills and qualifications that employers need,” added Alekna, who founded the firm with brother Joe in 2003.

Under eResponse, Options will launch a series of work academies, Functional Skills and Apprenticeship courses to help support people into and progress within employment. Following the deal they have also established an Options branch in Redditch.

Redditch-headquartered eResponse has branches and training centres in Worcester, Kidderminster, Redditch, Coventry, Rugby and Northampton.