Member Article

Newcastle’s PTM Group acquires Blyth-based Winnovation Training

Newcastle training company PTM Group has acquired Blyth-based Winnovation Training Ltd, for an undisclosed six-figure sum.

Winnovation, which was founded by Claire Pitchford, a social worker and former care home manager in 2009 and has an annual turnover of £750K, has joined PTM’s other subsidiaries; NCT Skills for Life, which provides training for young people interested in learning construction trades such as roofing and bricklaying and 180 training, which works with adults seeking to retrain and change career direction.

Currently employing 10 staff, with over 100 courses on offer Winnovation delivers a full range of social care training with impressive results. These include disability, children and families, care induction, leadership and management for those working in social care and adult care as well as health and safety.

To date, 100 per cent of the young people who have completed a 14-week traineeship with Winnovation have secured an apprenticeship with a local employer, while an average of 73 per cent who have completed Job Centre Plus courses with the training provider have gone on to secure a job.

According to Jamie Paterson, PTM’s managing director, it is this success combined with Claire’s ambition to grow the company and the Group’s desire to break into a new sector, which makes the deal a perfect fit for both businesses.

He said: “Having worked with Claire previously, albeit supporting her at arms-length, it became clear that Winnovation was a brand that was respected in the care sector for delivering an extensive range of high quality training across the country to great effect.

“By bringing the brand under the umbrella of PTM it means that we are able to enter a new sector with an established track record. This would not have been possible had we launched a new company.

“I and my fellow directors are looking forward to working with Claire and the team and would like to take this opportunity of welcoming them to the group.”

Under the terms of the deal, Claire has been retained as managing director responsible for the profitability of Winnovation and at the same time has become a member of the Group’s board.

The acquisition has been self-funded by the Group without the need for external lending. Barry Gill of TIG Corporate Finance provided corporate finance advice and carried out financial due diligence, while Marie Louise Bozenet of Square One Law provided legal advice.

Claire said: “This is a significant move in the ongoing development and success of Winnovation. By joining PTM Group, thanks to the extensive range of support we can draw on, not only funding but also business and logistical support such as HR, marketing and sales.

“Also with the support of a very strong group board with decades of further education experience, we will now be able to explore other avenues such as early years training.

“Additionally, the Group gains an established business which sits well within its existing organisation and supports plans for future growth.

“Furthermore, looking to the future, as we break into new areas of training and increase the number of courses we can deliver, we will be looking to create a number of new positions further supporting the local economies in which we work, which we would not be able to do without the support of PTM.”

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