Thu, 24 Apr 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Apprenticeship and training provider Babington has been acquired by private equity-backed firm Knovia Group.
Headquartered in Birmingham with a site in Derby Babington, founded in 1974, supports more than 4,800 apprentices and commercial learners across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also provides complementary services, including customised client services and levy transfer management. It employs 280 people.
It joins existing Knovia businesses Paragon Skills, Shaping Lives, and Tempdent.The aim is to strengthen the group's training capabilities across the professional services sector.
Jennifer Bramley, chief executive of Babington, said: "I look forward to leading and growing Babington with the support of the group as we harness our expertise to deliver exceptional commercial training, empowering individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. Our shared commitment to excellence and impact demonstrates why joining Knovia is a fantastic next step for Babington, and I look forward to achieving great things together."
As a group, Knovia now supports in excess of 16,000 learners and partners with more than 5,000 employers across the UK. It is backed by Sovereign Capital Partners.
Mark Botha, chief executive of Knovia Group, said: "I am truly thrilled to welcome Babington into the Knovia Group. Their rich 50-year heritage, unwavering dedication to quality and innovation resonates deeply with our core mission of impact, growth and change. Together, we will create meaningful change and provide career-boosting outcomes for learners, customers, businesses, and the industries we serve. This partnership is a powerful opportunity to expand our reach, enhance our services, and invest in the future of commercial training."
James Dargan, partner at Sovereign Capital Partners, added: "Bringing Babington into the Knovia Group represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy. Babington's well-earned reputation, with its professional services sector focus, makes it an ideal addition to the group. This strategic partnership perfectly aligns with our buy and build philosophy, and strengthens Knovia's ability to scale, innovate, and deliver high-quality learning experiences that meet the evolving needs of both learners and employers."
Following the transaction, Unigestion, an asset manager focused on investing in private equity's mid-market leaders, will own a minority stake in Knovia alongside Sovereign and the management team.
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This well-established accountancy practice in Essex boasts a profitable track record and a loyal, long-standing client base.
This South West-based practice, available for the first time, offers a strong-quality client base predominantly consisting of limited companies, with average annual fees surpassing £3,000.
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