Learndirect considers £100m float
LEARNDIRECT is the latest Yorkshire firm planning to float on the stock market with a reported £100m flotation on the cards.
The training group’s private equity owner LDC has appointed stockbroker Numis Securities to advise on the listing.
Learndirect is the UK’s largest provider of skills, training and employment services and trains staff for firms such as McDonald’s and Costa Coffee.
The Sheffield-based business runs a wide variety of training courses, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships and also runs the Life in the UK exam, which tests new citizens’ knowledge of Britain.
Following the float, both LDC and the group’s management will keep a stake in the business.
LDC and Learndirect have yet to comment on the potential float.
It is thought that LDC has also considered a trade sale.
Skills charity Ufi, which was created by the Government in 1998, launched Learndirect in 2000.
LDC bought Learndirect for around £40m in 2011.
In 2012 Learndirect and JHP Group merged to form the UK’s largest supplier of skills, training and employment services.
