Education recruitment specialist expands with its latest acquisition
Barnsley-based Operam Education Group – a BGF-backed education recruitment specialist – has completed its first acquisition in the further education sector in the latest in a series of strategic takeovers.
It has acquired Nottingham-based Provision Recruitment for an undisclosed sum, in a deal supported by HSBC and growth capital investor BGF.
Founded in 2004, Provision Recruitment supports colleges with the recruitment of lecturers.
It is the third Midlands-based acquisition by Operam, joining Teachers UK and First for Education.
The latest deal is designed to not only strengthen its regional footprint, but also enables the specialist education recruitment group to further expand into the FE sector across the UK, complementing its expertise in primary, secondary, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and tutoring recruitment.
Operam CEO, Eddie Austin, said: “Traditionally, the business has focused on mainstream and SEND education, as part of our buy-and-build growth ambitions.
“This is our first acquisition in the further education sector which enables us to broaden our reach, both from a geographical and sector perspective, integrating a well-established businesses into the group that has real potential to scale across different locations in the UK.
“This latest acquisition is hugely complementary to our existing suite of services and means we now have the ability to support those in education right from primary school settings through to further education.”
Last year, BGF committed a further £2.5m in follow-on funding to support Operam’s buy-and-build growth strategy, alongside £2.5m of senior debt from HSBC.
BGF investor, Rob Johnson, added: “This is another exciting addition to the Operam portfolio – one which will further diversify both our service offering and client base.
“We look forward to welcoming Provision into the group, as we continue to cement Operam’s position as one of the leading education recruitment services providers in the UK.”
Operam was advised by Squire Patton Boggs (legal), and Connect CF (deal origination). Provision Recruitment was advised by Nelson Solicitors (legal).
