Realise, one of the UK’s leading training providers, has unveiled a new structure and strategy to drive significant expansion – and has successfully secured a third acquisition in as many years.

The newly-formed Realise Training Group will feature six different business units – Early Years, Health and Social Care, Business Skills, Passenger Transport, Adults Skills and Smart Gas - focussed on regulated end markets.

Today’s announcement coincides with Realise’s third major acquisition since the management buyout with Realise acquiring Smart Gas Training and Assessment Centre, a Derbyshire based business which provides plumbing and heating apprenticeships, as well as supporting established engineers seeking to renew their gas qualifications.

Smart Gas, and the newly-opened Realise Transport Training Academy in West Yorkshire, ensure a formalised commercial offering is available from Realise for the first time.

Gregg Scott, CEO of Realise Training Group, said: “This is a proud and significant day in the history of our business as we introduce the changes necessary to deliver the next stage of our ambitious growth strategy.

“From a turnover of £28 million in 2024, our vision with the changes announced today is for us to more than double our turnover in the medium term.

“As well as investing in green energy, promoting the move to air source heat pumps and supporting the push for net zero through our Smart Gas acquisition, we are also committed to continuing our high-quality delivery in the critical infrastructure sectors we are well established in.

“This progamme of expansion will enable us to continue to focus on reducing economic inactivity and promoting social mobility in the UK.

“We continue to be engaged in active discussions with other training providers serving regulated end markets who are interested in becoming part of the Realise family.”

After securing investment from private equity firm Endless (Enact Fund) to support a management buyout in 2020, Realise has enjoyed substantial growth and now has a team of more than 500 staff supporting over 16,500 learners across the UK.

It also secured a multi-million pound facility from OakNorth, a digital bank designed to empower SMEs to support expansion and innovation, to help fund the new growth strategy.

Gregg added: “Under the new structure, we are committed to not just off-the-shelf products such as apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps or adult skills, but to being a fully integrated training solutions business.

“Our doors will be open to listen to the training problems of organisations and our talented teams will provide a bespoke solution.”