This training & development and research consultancy, founded more than 20 years ago, has developed significant subject and sector expertise and its own content IP. It enjoys long-term relationships with its clients, is strongly cash-generative, and has plans in place to support further growth.
The company assists organisations become recognised leaders in their sector through their service, culture and reputation. Its key services are training & development and research, with both areas forecast to continue to grow through the remainder of the decade, where training is perceived as a key differentiator in retaining staff in a tight labour market and, in the age of digital reviews, investment in customer experience is becoming a prerequisite for success for its clients.
The business has gained significant traction in sectors that have high levels of regulation combined with low levels of customer satisfaction, and has a strong track record of delivering multi-year large training roll-outs to significant corporate entities. It also delivers leadership training and, as an approved partner for The Institute of Leadership, many of its courses and programmes are Institute-endorsed, allowing individual learners to gain formal recognition.
Revenues are well spread amongst its client base, with c 50% relating to multi-year activities (either formally contracted or informally approved) and the balance consisting of major discrete projects. Client relationships are often long-term, in some cases spanning 20 years.
Operating from a central London location, the company delivers for its clients on a nationwide basis, through a hybrid mix of face-to-face and virtual/online delivery. It has an experienced management team, with the majority of employees long-serving, complemented by a trusted pool of expert associates.
The business is strongly cash generative and forecast to deliver an adjusted EBITDA of c £375k on revenues of £1.4M, building on the prior year adjusted EBITDA of £350k on revenues of £1.3M. The guide price for 100% shares of the company is £1.4M, on a debt free, cash free basis.
The owners are now seeking to reduce their involvement in the business and create time for other ambitions, hence the sale, but both are open to remaining with the business for the medium term on a part-time basis, supporting the new owners through the next phase of the company’s growth.
