Beech Tree Private Equity today announces an investment in Inspiro Learning, an independent training provider delivering both Apprenticeship and Commercial Training to the Automotive, Rail, Energy and Service sectors.

Inspiro partners with some of the UK’s most trusted brands such as BMW, Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, Network Rail, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis and EDF. Inspiro’s scale, experience, and reputation enable the Business to draw on deep sector expertise to help employers to continually develop the skill levels across their workforce. Working in close collaboration with its customers, the Business designs impactful learning programmes delivered through a blended model that combines practical training in high-class academies, learning in the workplace and engaging self-study delivered primarily digitally through Inspiro’s platform. This approach drives higher learner engagement and market-leading qualification achievement rates (“QARs”).

The partnership with Beech Tree will bring significant investment to enhance service delivery, expand technical training capabilities into adjacent sectors, and pursue strategic acquisitions.

Stuart Wilson, CEO of Inspiro Learning, said:

"Our journey since becoming independent from Babcock has been one of rapid growth, strong partnerships, and outstanding learner outcomes. This investment from Beech Tree, alongside the reinvestment from Inspirit, demonstrates belief in the strong business we have built, underpinned by a passionate and talented team. We are excited to accelerate the organic growth within the Business, expand into new areas of technical training and enhance the value we bring to employers and learners alike."

Andy Marsh, Managing Partner at Beech Tree, commented:

"We are thrilled to partner with Inspiro Learning. Their passion for delivering exceptional education outcomes aligns with our views on delivering high quality training and putting the learners at the centre of every decision. We plan to continue to raise standards by investing further in people, facilities and technology to enhance service delivery as well as strategic acquisitions to accelerate the momentum of the business.”

Funders of the transaction:

·       Beech Tree Private Equity (Andy Marsh, Luke Burns, Leigh Thomas)

·       Inspirit Capital (Albert Farrant, Paul Youens)

·       Investec (Conor McMahon, Matthew Skingle, Charlotte Brown)

Advisors to Beech Tree Private Equity and Newco:

·       Legal advisor - DLA Piper (James Kerrigan, Chris Wilson, Sam Jones, Jenni Entwisle)

·       Tax advisor - Alvarez & Marsal (Nick Walton, Amy Milinkovic, James Wilkinson)

·       Debt Advisory - Clearwater (Simon Chambers, Hertej Rattan, Arush Manchanda, Willow Viehoff)

·       Insurance DD - Gallagher (Andrew Scott, Ian Muldowney)

·       Tech DD – eXcentius (Paul Oliver, Sumesh Puthiyaveeti)

·       Management DD – i2i (Michael Finnigan, Ross Beresford)

·       Political DD – GK Strategy (Lizzie Wills, Hugo Tuckett)

·       Financial DD - RSM (Philip Parkes, Natalie Stacey, Thomas Hemmett, Daniel Kagan)

·       Commercial DD – CIL (Mark Jeynes, Megan Savage Shaw, Jack Kitchen)

Advisors to the Company:

·       Corporate Finance – Clearwater (Rob Burden, John Haygarth, Martine McAuliffe, Sam Harris)

·       Legal Advisor - Mayer Brown LLP (James West, Avi Cohen, Priyanka Patel)

·       Management Legal Advisor - Lewis Silkin LLP (Ashi Amershi, Hope Bell)

About Beech Tree Private Equity

Beech Tree Private Equity invests £10 million - £40 million in fast-growing profitable businesses in three key areas – technology, tech-enabled services, and financial services. Beech Tree works with management teams to build scale and capability, bringing capital and expertise to drive expansion strategies building category-leading companies of scale.

About Inspiro Learning

Inspiro Learning is one of the UK’s leading providers of vocational and technical training, working in partnership with employers to deliver high-quality apprenticeships and skills programmes. Since its carve-out from Babcock in 2023 by Inspirit Capital, Inspiro Learning has continued to grow, achieving market-leading learner outcomes and expanding into new industry sectors. Its mission is to empower individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed, while supporting businesses to develop the talent they need to thrive.

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