Recruitment sector deal volumes in the first quarter of 2015 were 27 per cent up on last year with a major Midlands-based deal highlighting a trend in training business transactions according to analysis from business and finance adviser Grant Thornton.
Maria O’Donnell, associate director in Grant Thornton’s advisory team in the Midlands, said: “A total of 19 deals were completed in the first quarter, boosted by a significant amount of activity in the corporate leadership and staff training sub-sectors.
Notable deals included Grant Thornton’s sale of management training and executive coaching business The Oxford Group to The City & Guilds Group and Nottingham-headquartered workforce training specialist Staffline’s acquisition of A4e, a provider of welfare to work and skills training services, for a total consideration of £34.5m, on which Grant Thornton’s advisory and tax teams provided financial due diligence and pension scheme advice.
Ms O'Donnell added: “The recruitment sector is certainly enjoying a buoyant period at the moment and now that the UK has a majority Conservative government we anticipate that any pre-election jitters will evaporate and the trend for increased deal activity will continue."
