Fresh from securing FW Solutions, Realise has acquired Training Plus Merseyside (tpm), an independent training provider which delivers apprenticeships and training to more than 100 employers in the Liverpool City Region.

Realise became a standalone business two years ago when private equity funder Enact provided funding to support a management buyout.

It delivers apprenticeships at Level Two, Three and Five to hundreds of early years settings and more than 1,000 learners across the UK and was voted Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the prestigious FE Week & AELP Apprenticeship Awards earlier this year.

tpm directors Brian Quinn and Paula Hayes have stepped down from their roles but all other staff and trainers from the company will continue with Realise.

Realise Managing Director Gregg Scott said:

“For more than two decades, Brian and Paula have been instrumental in the growth and success of tpm and we are thrilled to be trusted with continuing their outstanding work and excited to work with the learners, staff and stakeholders.

“Our early years team is going from strength to strength and we are delighted to be welcoming colleagues from tpm to aid our continued growth.

“We are hugely passionate about supporting nursery settings and developing the careers of those people working in the sector, as well as attracting and retaining talent.”

Departing tpm director Brian Quinn said:

“We have been immensely proud to have delivered training to 9,000 learners over the last 22 years and built up a reputation as a well-established and successful learning organisation.

“The time has come for myself and Paula to embrace semi-retirement but we are delighted to leave tpm, our learners and staff in such excellent hands.

“The vision Realise has of supporting employers to meet their needs by offering tailored training solutions is in line with the way we have grown tpm and Realise is also renowned for creating an excellent working culture and treating its people well.

“It is fitting that the people of tpm can now continue their growth alongside a provider with a truly national presence and a strong reputation. “

Paul Denvers, Investment Director at Enact, said:

“Realise continues to deliver on its growth strategy and to complete two acquisitions in four weeks is testament to the hard work of the management team.

“It also demonstrates Realise’s commitment to an inorganic growth strategy in a market where it is recognised as a ‘good home’ for learning providers.

“Acquiring an established and successful business such as tpm, as was also the case with the acquisition of FW Solutions, supports Realise’s growth strategy in the key sector of early years education.

“We are thrilled to be supporting a business which is delivering on its expansion plans and, while we are actively looking for further acquisition opportunities, the key focus for Realise will always be retaining a quality learner experience and supporting its people.”