Investment accelerates Progress to Excellence Group expansion

Progress to Excellence Group, already one of the country’s biggest training and education providers, is set for further major expansion.

Growth of the Birkenhead-based business, which collectively serves around 1,300 employers and 4,300 learners throughout the UK, is being accelerated via a partnership with Praesidian Capital Europe, a leading provider of private investment.

Its backing will now enable Progress to Excellence Group, whose national headquarters are at Pacific Road Business Hub, to substantially move the business forward to the next stage of its development.

Sandra Kirkham, Managing Director of Progress to Excellence Group, said: “Investment by Praesidium will fulfil our growth strategy and ambitions to provide high quality training for employers large and small.

“Our teams are excited about working with Praesidian to support our business’ growth. The timing of this partnership is perfect as we are building additional service offerings and growing our already established training operations.”

Progress to Excellence Group specialises in employer-led apprenticeship training and adult skills provision with an independent schools Division. It has a strong footprint in health and social care, business administration and leadership and management courses.

The Praesidian investment includes the enabling of the company’s recent bolt-on acquisition of Complete Training Solutions (CTS), an established Liverpool-based training services business which focuses on health and safety courses for construction related industries.

This current expansion programme will soon see the Group housing seven subsidiaries operating in commercial training, adult skills training and the provision of independent alternative education for young people.

Founded in 1997, Progress to Excellence Group remains committed to the Merseyside region where its business journey began, Sandra Kirkham explained: “Keeping our national headquarters in Birkenhead is a unique stance for us to take but we have chosen to stay at the heart of our community where, as a major employer in the Wirral, we can continue to make a difference to the economy and to the lives of local people.”

Amin Amiri, founder of A2E Industries and Chairman of Progress to Excellence Group, said: “Progress to Excellence is a long-established and high-quality education and apprenticeship training provider supporting young adult education. This partnership with Praesidian will allow the business to further accelerate its growth potential.”

Serkan Dede, Investment Director of Praesidian Capital Europe, commented: “We are excited to support such an established and quality growth business with an experienced management team and look forward to working together with Progress to Excellence and A2E Industries on future bolt-on acquisitions.”

Praesidian Capital Founder and Managing Partner Jason Drattell added: “We believe that the Group is favourably positioned and know that Sandra and her team have a great deal of expertise. We are pleased to welcome Progress to Excellence to our portfolio of companies.”