Learndirect acquires Worcester-based AT&F Solutions

Bournemouth-based Learndirect, one of the UK's leading online learning provider, has acquired Worcester based AT&F Solutions.

Founded in 1998 by Terry Breslin and with a history rooted in face-to-face fire safety training, AT&F Solutions was a pioneer of workplace eLearning in the UK.

AT&Fnow provides fully accredited workplace health, safety and HR compliance training to thousands of public and private sector organisations worldwide.

James Cowper Kreston  provided financial due diligence and buyside advice to Queen’s Park Equity backed learndirect.

This investment will enable learndirect to grow its presence within the B2B space and enable businesses across a broad range of sectors such as healthcare, education, hospitality and more, to provide the necessary training to their employees in a seamless manner.

Terry Breslin, Managing Director at AT&F Solutions, said: “We are super excited to be joining learndirect, a true market leader in the ever-changing world of eLearning. AT&F Solutions Ltd has been specialising in ‘compliance health and safety’ for 25 years and during this time we have grown substantially, focusing on key topics to help fulfil our client’s growing needs. However, in order to support and expand a wider range of services our strength will come from this unique partnership adding to the expertise of the group, along with offering a wider portfolio to all our clients.”

Wayne Janse van Rensburg, Chief Executive Officer at learndirect Digital Group, added: “We’re delighted to bring AT&F Solutions into the Group, serving our B2B customers with quality health and safety training. AT&F has developed a strong customer base over the past 25 years and additional demand is expected across the UK driven by increasing regulatory requirements... At learndirect, we take great pride in providing online education directly to individuals looking to better their lives, and now we can feed that passion into meeting the needs of businesses seeking high quality training solutions.”

Jason Birt, Queen’s Park Equity, added: “We’re thrilled to be further supporting the learndirect team with their sixth follow-on investment as they continue to develop their online training offering across multiple faculties. The investment in AT&F represents an exciting opportunity for learndirect to expand its B2B offering in an attractive niche with a regulatory underpin.”

Stuart Williams at James Cowper Kreston, added: who commented: “Having advised QPE on their initial investment it has been great to stay involved as learndirect continue to expand the courses they offer as they cement themselves as a market leader in the online training and education sector." I wish Wayne and the team every success in the future and look forward to working with both them and Queen’s Park Equity again as they continue to build on their success.”