All posts by Ellyn Wright

Appointments, Business, Business News, Careers, Employment, Tax, Wales

GS Verde Group bolsters senior team with appointment of new tax director

GS Verde Group, the award-winning corporate advisory firm, has appointed a new Tax Director, Emma Jones. This strategic move further strengthens the company’s leadership team and solidifies its commitment to providing clients with comprehensive tax advisory services as part of its ambitious plans for 2024.

Emma’s appointment follows a period of significant growth for GS Verde Group, marked by its recent admission to the JP Jenkins share-dealing platform and the appointment of a new non-executive director in January 2024. Her expertise will be instrumental in steering the Group’s tax team under the leadership of Joel Dunning, Head of GS Verde Tax & Accountants.

Emma brings 22 years of experience as a corporate tax adviser. Before joining GS Verde Group, Emma began her career in accountancy before specialising in tax as part of Azets where she held a senior position as Tax Associate Director covering personal and corporate compliance, as well as advisory in employee share schemes, EIS, tax clearance, and tax planning.

“We are thrilled to welcome Emma to GS Verde Group,” said Joel Dunning, Head of GS Verde Tax & Accountants. “Her proven track record and specialist knowledge of the tax landscape will be invaluable as we continue to expand our tax offering and support our clients through complex transactions. Emma will be leading our specialist tax team as we continue to develop and expand it in the coming months.“

Beyond the boost of recruiting top talent to the business, Emma’s appointment as Tax Director signals the next stepping stone in GS Verde Group’s bold ambitions for 2024; a key investment in expertise that empowers their multidiscipline team to tackle increasingly large and complex transactions. This sets the stage for the new tax team which will allow GS Verde Group to capture an even larger share of the market and solidify its position as a leading multidiscipline powerhouse in the M&A landscape.

Regarding her appointment, Emma said “I am excited to join GS Verde Group at this pivotal time of growth.The company’s innovative, multidiscipline approach to deal-making perfectly aligns with my own values, and I look forward to lending my experience to the Group, identifying efficiency opportunities, and developing the team to deliver exceptional tax solutions to our clients.”

Awards, Business, Business News, Wales

GS Verde Group lead M&A rankings for another year

GS Verde Group, the award-winning multidiscipline corporate advisory firm, has been named the most active dealmaker in Wales for both financial and legal categories in Experian’s Market IQ full-year report for 2023. This remarkable achievement solidifies the Group’s position as a leading force in the UK M&A landscape, further fuelled by its record-breaking growth in 2023 and exciting plans for 2024.

Unlike any other firm, GS Verde Group is the only one to secure the top spot in both the legal and financial categories. This highlights the Group’s unique advantage – a powerful synergy created through its multidiscipline team; offering legal, finance, tax, and communications services under one roof. This end-to-end approach streamlines the dealmaking process for clients, delivering unparalleled efficiency and expertise to optimise the process and secure successful outcomes.

Nigel Greenaway, CEO of GS Verde Group, commented on the placement: “Being named the most active dealmaking team in Wales by Experian for the third year in a row is a great honour,” said Greenaway. “It validates our relentless pursuit of excellence and the effectiveness of our multidiscipline advisory model. Topping both the legal and financial categories truly demonstrates the value our team delivers to clients seeking seamless, efficient transactions.“

While the UK’s M&A landscape cannot seem to recapture the record heights experienced post-pandemic, Experian’s report highlights Wales as the only UK region to show an upturn in deal activity in 2023, the highest levels recorded in the region in the last decade. This growth mirrors GS Verde Group’s busy year, with consistent deal activity across various sectors that delivered a £2m increase in revenue for the Group in 2023. This exciting growth has continued in 2024 as GS Verde Group has been admitted to prestigious share-dealing platform, JP Jenkins, and appointed a new Non-Executive Director, James Lewis.

With momentum already strong, GS Verde Group is poised to capitalise on this pivotal moment and continue its upward trajectory by implementing its ambitious 2024 growth plans, making strategic senior hires, and building additional expert teams. The Group’s unique multidiscipline approach, combined with its proven track record, positions it as a trusted, in-demand advisor for businesses looking to complete a corporate transaction.

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Business, Business News, Wales

Fast-growth Flotek expands group portfolio with investment in North Wales business

Flotek Group, a leading IT and Managed Services provider, has announced the acquisition of a majority share in OES, a North Wales-based Managed IT, Cyber Security, Managed Print, and Web Development firm.

Displaying rapid growth and a £3.1 million turnover, OES provides digital technology solutions to businesses. Priding itself on its tailored account management and highly trained experts, the business has developed a reputation in North Wales and the Northwest for its bespoke strategies and service delivery, boasting a strong client roster that includes Boots, Hickory’s, and Gamlins, with a particular focus on the legal market.

This strategic move expands Flotek’s regional presence in the area, alongside its Chester office acquired last year, and pushes the Group to achieve a turnover of more than £10.5 million. Additionally, the acquisition brings 22 experienced OES staff into the Flotek fold, bolstering the Group’s team to over 80 individuals.

Jay Ball, CEO of Flotek, said of the investment, “OES’s impressive track record and talented team make them a perfect fit for Flotek. This acquisition will boost our growth and visibility in the area and, crucially, will allow Flotek to enter the Managed Print and Web Business and develop our provision for the legal sector while supporting OES with access to a robust Telecom offering. We’re pleased to be welcoming OES as part of the group and creating new opportunities for our businesses and our customers.”

The deal will see OES’s management team, Wayne Jones, Peter Edwards, and Luke Murray, remain in their roles as Managing Director, Head of Finance, and IT Manager respectively, benefiting from the strategic guidance of the Flotek board, while continuing to run OES and deliver the exceptional service the business has become known for.

Wayne Jones, OES MD, shared his excitement for the investment, “Being part of Flotek is a great opportunity for our team and our clients. It’s a huge deal to receive the investment from a Welsh independent-owned business and I’m personally very proud to remain a Welsh business. We have always prioritized customer service at OES and now we can benefit from the systems and processes that Flotek uses to improve our customer’s experience. We can also offer a broader range of services and use Flotek’s resources to increase our reach in the region. I’m eager to enter the telecoms market and grow with Flotek.”

OES’s brand will be maintained under the Flotek Group umbrella, ensuring continuity and familiarity for clients and employees but delivering an enhanced service through the businesses’ stellar expertise and commitment to future growth.

This is Flotek’s second investment acquisition, following the inclusion of Hampshire-based Flexinet last year, where the Flotek Group can offer its vast service portfolio and expertise alongside the business’s experienced existing management team.

The acquisition was advised on by multidiscipline dealmakers, GS Verde Group, combining law, finance, tax, and communications to offer end-to-end transaction support in one place.

Apprenticeships, Business, Education

Educ8 Group Celebrates Apprenticeship Week: Building Skills for Life

National Apprenticeship Week 2024, taking place February 5th – 11th, is celebrated across the UK, and Educ8 Group stand firmly behind the power of apprenticeships, not only to continue supporting the British economy through challenging times, but also as an incredible way to propel businesses and individuals towards a brighter future.

Aligning with this year’s theme ‘Skills for Life’, Educ8, a leading provider of training and apprenticeships in the UK, is affirming its dedication to empowering learners through high-quality training and apprenticeships that offer a practical path to valuable skills and job confidence.

The past few years have undoubtedly been challenging. Businesses have navigated uncertainty, talent shortages, and evolving demands. Educ8 believes that investing in skills development is no longer just a strategic move, but a critical necessity for thriving in the new landscape. Apprenticeships offer a win-win solution, addressing skills gaps head-on while nurturing talent within, fostering loyalty, and boosting productivity. With multiple levels of apprenticeships available, learner progression into higher skill sets and higher earning roles is also supported.

Morgan Thomason, a level 3 barbering apprentice, said “The reason I think an apprenticeship is so beneficial is because you get to learn in a pressure-free environment. When you’re at college, you’re constantly working to deadlines. When you’re in a salon, you’ve got more freedom and flexibility.

 

I’ve had so many opportunities through doing an apprenticeship. I’ve spoken at events, competed in national competitions, and become an ambassador for ISA Training, which is part of Educ8 Group. It’s important that learners feel supported in the same way I do because there’s so much to get involved in”.

Apprenticeships are an invaluable route to building skills for individuals, but they are not just training initiatives, they are catalysts for growth and success. Educ8 sees the human impact firsthand as apprentices bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, a thirst for knowledge, and can seamlessly integrate into teams. They add value to businesses through continuous learning that is specific to their role and industry, able to take on more tasks and nurture their strategic thinking, turning into future leaders built within the businesses themselves.

Jude Holloway, Managing Director of Educ8, acknowledges the significant impact apprenticeships have on businesses, “Apprenticeships are a proven model for developing a skilled workforce and an excellent vehicle to offer real opportunities for people to progress in their careers. There is no substitute  for quality training within the workplace, filling skills gaps and making a tangible difference to individuals and employers.”

Educ8 is helping businesses understand the power of apprenticeships and the challenges that they can help overcome, through events such as the ISA Connect X Salon Help event held recently. The workshop showcased the way apprentices could help salons offer new services, enhance their reputation, and stay ahead of industry trends, as well experiencing exclusive coaching sessions from industry experts.

Educ8’s expert trainer coaches deliver a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring apprentices are equipped to hit the ground running and make a real difference. The Group is consistently introducing new and innovative apprenticeships that address the needs of the economy, businesses, and the learning requirements of apprentices themselves.

In 2023 Educ8 Training introduced a new Energy and Carbon Management apprenticeship and in November received a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to launch ‘Multiply – Calculating your potential’, a community project designed to improve the numeracy skills of adults.

Apprenticeships and further education are not only for young people, and they offer a rich choice of pathways to new skills, personal development, job satisfaction, and peace of mind for people of all ages and backgrounds. There is no limit to learning when it’s possible to study a range of qualifications including Digital Marketing, Leadership and Management, Social Media for Business, Project Management and more.

Edcu8 is proud to be a part of the dynamic apprenticeship landscape in Wales, a region committed to bridging skills gaps and unleashing the potential of its workforce. This National Apprenticeship Week, Educ8 calls upon businesses across Wales to embrace the power of skills development. Explore the diverse range of apprenticeships available, invest in your future workforce, and witness the transformative impact on your business.

Apprenticeships, Business, Education

Educ8 Training Group advocates for apprenticeships in the face of potential budget cuts

Welsh Government’s final budget 2024-25 will be published on 27th February. Ahead of this, Educ8 Training Group, a leading provider of training and apprenticeships in the UK, is striving to showcase the substantial value and worth that apprenticeships offer workplaces and the Welsh economy.

Latest figures from the Welsh Government show a growing appetite for apprenticeships in Wales, with an increase of more than 20% in the number of apprenticeship learning programmes started in academic Q3 2022/2023 compared to the same period the previous year [1]. Educ8 has also been witnessing a consistent upward trend for apprenticeships in Wales, serving more learners than ever before.

This increase in apprenticeship enrolment has a positive impact on the country’s professional workforce. It helps to develop the infrastructure within businesses that can bolster the Welsh economy, as well as delivering on the Welsh Government’s Young Person Guarantee to support those aged 16-24 in securing further education, training and employment. The potential cuts Wales is facing will undermine both of these aspects of apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are a unique pathway to learning that have untold benefits for the apprentices themselves and employers. Able to jump straight into a working environment, learners can start developing valuable hard and soft skills immediately, without taking on any student debt. These skills are directly related to the role they are in, giving them confidence in the workplace and providing employers with exactly what they need to address skill gaps. Apprenticeships play a pivotal role in nurturing professional development and resolving the ever-changing needs of Wales’ workforce.

Paul Stevenson, People Development Manager at Parkdean Resorts, says “The news that there could be a 24.5% cut in funding for apprenticeships in Wales, has come as a huge surprise to us. 

 

Over the last few years, we have been working closely with our Welsh providers to develop our people at all levels of our business; from new people joining us to the advancement of our managers, enabling them to acquire further knowledge, skills, and behaviours to support their career.

 

Being able to offer apprenticeships in our recruitment enables us to attract people to our business and support them through an apprenticeship programme. Apprenticeship development is a key part of our succession planning that provides people with lifelong knowledge and skills to develop their careers, as well as using these skills in other aspects of life.

 

This proposed cut could potentially undermine how we recruit and develop our people in Wales in the future.”

Welsh Government is facing huge challenges in the landscape of its funding, and it is anticipated that the upcoming policy statement on apprenticeships will reveal that due to a 3.65% budget cut and loss of previous European funding, the apprenticeship programme will be cut by 24.5% in 2024-25.

Inevitably, these cuts will lead to a significant drop in the number of apprenticeship places that can be offered throughout Wales. The National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW), of which Educ8 is a member, estimates that it will result in 10,000 fewer apprentices over the next two years, of which 5,500 are expected to be in health and social care. These reductions would disproportionately harm young people (aged 16-24), especially those who are women, live in socio-economically deprived areas and are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

With a wide number of fields now available to study, the demand for apprenticeships is expected to increase again next year. Providing qualifications such as Social Media for Business and Digital Marketing, Educ8 has first-hand experience of how these apprenticeships are being used to fill the ever-growing demand for digital and technology skills.

Its new Energy and Carbon Management qualification, which covers modules including energy procurement and analysis of energy consumption is also playing an important part. With the introduction of this training, Educ8 is witnessing how apprenticeships can pave the way to a more energy-conscious economy and significantly contribute to achieving the government’s net zero target.

Speaking on the value of apprenticeships, Grant Santos, CEO of Educ8 Training Group said: “Apprenticeships are needed to answer the challenges of the modern world and prepare society for the jobs of the future. High-quality apprenticeships like those offered by Educ8 can improve the economic prospects of Welsh workers and help to create a skilled workforce, and that is why it’s so important we advocate for the value of apprenticeships to the Welsh economy and maintain the level of investment in this flagship programme.”

If you are an employer whose business has seen significant benefits from apprenticeships, you can make representations to Welsh Government by emailing the Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething at Correspondence.Vaughan.Gething@gov.wales.

For more information on the range of apprenticeships and qualifications offered by Educ8, visit https://www.educ8training.co.uk/

  1. https://www.gov.wales/apprenticeship-learning-programmes-started-february-april-2023-provisional
Business, Education

Aspire 2Be announces latest addition to range of business-focussed professional learning: Digital Skills for Business

  • Aspire 2Be announces launch of the Levels 2 & 3 Digital Skills for Business Qualification
  • This is the latest addition to the Level Up Professional Learning portfolio, which also includes the Digital Learning Practitioner qualification
  • Specifically aimed at businesses and organisations in Wales, this qualification offers an innovative approach for staff to develop their work-based digital skills

Aspire 2Be, a multi-award-winning learning technology company, this week announced the launch of the Levels 2 & 3 Digital Skills for Business Qualification. This qualification extends the range of business-focussed professional learning qualifications offered by Aspire 2Be, which also includes the Level 3 Diploma for Digital Learning Practitioners.

The Digital Skills for Business qualification is aimed at anyone in an office or administrative role who uses digital tools, such as Microsoft 365. It has been designed to enhance the digital skills of staff within their role and increase digital confidence and competence within the business. Learners will explore how technology can be used collaboratively and understand how to take advantage of digital opportunities in the workplace.

“Digital skills development and the ability to leverage technology effectively are central to driving productivity and innovation in the workplace” comments Aspire 2Be Managing Director, Matt Smith.

He continues, “Aligned to the ‘The Digital Strategy for Wales’, our new qualifications will support employers and individuals in developing the capability and confidence to excel in the workplace”.

With a broad portfolio of digital tools, resources and platforms, and as a Professional Development Partner for Apple, Google and Microsoft, Aspire 2Be is ideally placed as industry experts, to provide this range of digital qualifications for learners.

If you are interested in learning more about our range of Digital Apprenticeships, you can get in touch with us at Apprenticeships@aspire2be.co.uk, or read more here.

Press contact: Kathryn Stevenson. kathryn@aspire2be.co.uk. 07813 098114

Aspire 2Be is a multi-award-winning learning technology company delivering learning solutions, professional development, online platform builds and digital transformation through the use of the latest digital skills and technologies. As the only company in the UK to be a professional partner with Google, Apple and Microsoft, Aspire 2Be provides solutions to valued clients across multiple sectors, both in the UK and globally.

Appointments, Business, Business News

Flotek Welcomes New Head of Sales to Drive Strategic Growth

Flotek, one of the UK’s leading managed service providers for SMEs, appoints Stuart Meikle to a new Head of Sales position.

The appointment marks Flotek’s first of a series of planned senior management placements within the Group, intended to boost the firm’s organic growth strategy as it approaches two years since its formation. The Head of Sales will play a vital role in expanding Flotek’s sales efforts and cementing its position as an industry leader.

Flotek is delighted to welcome Stuart on board and is excited to see his expertise flourish within the business. Boasting over a decade of experience in the industry, Stuart has previously held key roles such as Sales Director, Head of Supplier Development, and Commercial Director, demonstrating his passion for people and business development. Stuart’s work ethic and strategic vision align perfectly with Flotek’s ambitions, and most importantly their delivery of exceptional IT and telecoms services to new and existing clients.

Having previously collaborated with Flotek CEO, Jay Ball, at his former communications company, Stuart has been able to seamlessly integrate into the Customer Relations team at Flotek. Heading up the current 12-strong sales team, Stuart will lead them towards Flotek’s goals of growth, with plans to expand the sales team to 20+ in 2024 to win larger corporate clients and pave the way for new opportunities.

Speaking on the appointment, Jay Ball, Flotek CEO, said, “Stuart is well known in the South Wales area, and having worked with him previously, I know first-hand that his knowledge and experience will be invaluable to Flotek. With plans to grow the sales team and drive organic expansion this year, I’m looking forward to seeing Stuart utilise his industry expertise to help drive Flotek to this success by attracting new clients and new team members alike.”

Having run an impressive 13 half-marathons for the British Heart Foundation in 2023, Stuart shares Flotek’s commitment to charitable causes, and his dedication and perseverance are valuable qualities that the Flotek team is delighted to welcome.

Also commenting on his new role, Stuart added, “I am thrilled to be part of Flotek’s experienced team. I look forward to a long and prosperous journey with the company, and I already feel at home among this very talented & ambitious team.”

Following a period of exponential growth that saw Flotek acquire ten businesses; expanding its geographical footprint, service provision, and client base, the creation of this senior role marks Flotek’s dedication to organic growth in 2024. Growing the internal teams and developing senior management are priorities in helping Flotek reach new heights this year.

Business, Business Investment, Business News, Business Reports, Cardiff, Cardiff News, Industry News, Industry Press Releases, Investment, Investment News, News

GS Verde Group admitted to secondary market platform JP Jenkins

GS Verde Group Limited shares now trading at JP Jenkins.

9th January 2024 – Shares in the GS Verde Group (www.gsverde.group) have been admitted to trade on JP Jenkins share dealing platform. The GS Verde Group is headquartered at The Maltings, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, with additional offices in Bristol and Dublin, and is registered as a company in England and Wales under Companies House, company number 15101725.

The completion of the seven-figure raise gives the Group a £9m post-money valuation on the JP Jenkins platform, which is the UK’s oldest secondary market and has provided a marketplace for share trading for established household brands such as Dyson and Weetabix as well as football clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City.

The GS Verde Group is a multi-discipline M&A advisory business advising businesses on corporate transactions such as business sales (including Trade Sale, Management Buy-Out and Employee Ownership structures), acquisitions, investment raises and corporate re-organisations.

Through its multi-discipline structure, the business combines Law, Finance, Tax and Communications to provide a ‘one team’ advisory support to businesses.

The award-winning business has experienced fast growth through both strategic acquisitions and organic demand.   With offices in Cardiff, Bristol and Dublin, the Group employs c.90 staff across a range of professional and support disciplines.

Having won accolades as leading Dealmakers in 2022 and 2023, the business has proven demand for the ‘one team’ offering, and is looking to accelerate its growth nationally and internationally, through further strategic acquisitions, as well as investment in technology by further developing its proprietary software platform AR:Deals.

JP Jenkins is a liquidity venue for unlisted or unquoted assets in companies, enabling shareholders and prospective investors to buy and sell equity on a matched bargain basis. JP Jenkins is a trading name of InfinitX Limited an Appointed Representative of Prosper Capital LLP (FRN950991).

Shareholders wishing to trade these securities can do so through their stockbroker. Trades will be conducted at a level that JP Jenkins is able to match a willing seller and a willing buyer. Trades can be conducted, and limits can be accepted, during normal business hours. Shareholders or potential investors can place limits via their existing UK-regulated stockbroker.

The indicative pricing for the ordinary shares (ISIN: GB00BNTZFL29), as well as the transaction history, will be available on the JP Jenkins website at https://jpjenkins.com/company/gs-verde-group/

Veronika Oswald, Commercial Director of J P Jenkins said: “At JP Jenkins corporate advisors are a core part of our ecosystem in supporting private companies in liquidity and secondary market solutions. GS Verde’s admission demonstrates how our platform can not only support growth companies, but in turn support a multi-discipline M&A advisory business such as GS Verde in their own growth ambitions too. We are delighted to be able to support GS Verde with their own liquidity solution from today.”

Nigel Greenaway, Co-Founder and CEO of GS Verde Group said: “We are delighted to be trading on the prestigious JP Jenkins platform, joining such a wealth of household names in doing so.   

 

There has been overwhelming interest in our business, and this step to join the secondary market, allowing private investment into our business is a milestone step in our journey.  The investment will allow us to grow through strategic acquisition in certain areas of the UK, as well as to add firepower to our dealmaking teams in Wales, the Southwest of England and Ireland.   We can also accelerate our investment into AR:Deals, GS Verde’s own proprietary technology.”

For further information, please contact:

J P Jenkins Ltd.          

Veronika Oswald

Director           +44 (0)20 7469 0937

GS Verde Group Limited

Matthew Sutton

Company Secretary / Director       +44 (0)3330 107 8498

Apprenticeships, Beauty, Hair and Beauty, News from Wales

How Welsh Salons Can Overcome Recruitment Challenges With Apprenticeships

The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis are two big factors that salon owners believe are affecting their ability to recruit new staff.

The pandemic meant that salons had to close their doors for months to comply with the laws around social distancing. Now the cost-of-living crisis means some salons are unable to afford to train new staff, and existing employees may be looking for higher-paying jobs outside of the hair and beauty sector.

Donna Bowen-Anderson, Customer Account Manager at ISA, says: “The perception of low-income apprentices is something that is truly a challenge for salon recruitment. It is critical to ensure that learners understand the massive benefit learning a skill in hair, beauty and barbering can have, often leading down the path to becoming higher earners in the future.”

We explore these challenges and explain how apprenticeships can help salons grow their business.

1.    Apprenticeships are an affordable option for learners

 

Removing barriers to apprenticeships can be one of the first steps in widening the appeal to potential learners. Studying at university can be expensive. Many students struggle to find a balance between work and study to support themselves, often finding it difficult to find a suitable job after graduating.

ISA Training (part of Educ8 Training Group) offers a variety of apprenticeships that are fully funded by Welsh Government. As Wales’s leading hair, beauty, and barbering apprenticeship specialist, these courses provide practical lifelong skills, that can act as a foundation to build a truly successful career.

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity for learners to enter employment and earn while they learn. Apprentices can develop new skills without the level of debt typically associated with a university degree, with the opportunity to progress to higher paid job roles.

2.    Apprenticeships support salons with training and recruitment

 

Support outside of the salon is a fantastic way to ensure that apprentices receive a well-rounded education, combining their practical experience with theoretical knowledge.

Qualifications delivered by ISA Training are run by trainer coaches who have a wealth of experience, who are active within the industry and are up to date with hair and beauty trends and techniques. They are dedicated to supporting learners across all aspects of their study, while helping relieve some of the pressures that salon owners face.

Finding candidates with the right technical, creative and customer service skills can be a challenge. With its knowledge of the sector, ISA can support with recruiting apprentices by helping advertise apprenticeship vacancies. They also help employers access funding through Welsh Government’s Employer Incentive Scheme, supporting learners with a disability into employment.

In addition to the support ISA can give salons, Donna Bowen-Anderson advised, “Salon owners need to be proactive in looking for apprentices, think about how and where they engage with their future staff and become a passionate champion for their business and the industry.

And it’s really important to shout about not just the technical skills but the valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving that apprenticeships also offer.”

3.    Apprenticeships can help close skills gaps

 

Hiring an apprentice allows salon owners to not only nurture and develop new talent, but also to address skills gaps that they may have identified within their salon.

ISA apprentices are encouraged to study both hairdressing and barbering to widen opportunities and appeal to a broader clientele. This can allow salons to stand out among their competitors and enhance their reputation, while providing learners more opportunities to develop their skills and train in other areas.

Oli Tracey, Level 3 Hairdressing Apprentice and ISA Ambassador from Slunks salon in Cardiff, said: “My apprenticeship has given me the knowledge and confidence to go out into the hair world and absolutely smash it! The support from not just my ISA trainer coach but the whole ISA community and organisation has been amazing. The opportunities I’ve had throughout my apprenticeship are ones I’ll never forget.”

To learn more about the qualifications offered by ISA Training and what support they can provide your salon, visit www.isatraining.co.uk.

Business & Property News, Business Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships, Cardiff News, IT Services

Flotek Completes Tenth Successful Acquisition Branching into the Hospitality Sector

Prolific IT and Managed Service Provider, Flotek Group, has acquired IT & telecommunications company Orbiss in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group. The acquisition marks the tenth successful acquisition for fast-growing Flotek.

The strategic acquisition of Truro-based Orbiss has enabled Flotek to expand its presence in the Southwest, to grow its team to 72 employees, and increase its revenue to £8.5m. The acquisition unlocks new areas of growth for Flotek, as Orbiss specialises in providing IT & telecommunication solutions to the hospitality industry (notably working with large clients such as Best Western and Holiday Inn).

Orbiss marks the first stage of Flotek’s growth into the hospitality sector, and the Cornish business will form a key part of Flotek’s offering in Southwest England, bolstering the Plymouth team to serve more clients in that area. Flotek has already dedicated resources to support the Orbiss team and its customers’ integration, retaining the expertise that Orbiss has established over the years.

Jay Ball, Flotek CEO, has known Orbiss owners, Karen McGowan and Karen Patterson for over 16 years, making Flotek Group well-placed to take Orbiss into the future.

Speaking on the acquisition, Jay said: “We are so pleased that Orbiss has joined the Flotek Group. I have worked with Karen McGowan and Karren Patterson for a long time, assisting them with engineers on the ground, and their 35-year experience in the sector is invaluable to us. The culture and passion at Orbiss align with the culture and values of Flotek, making it a perfect fit for the Group. The acquisition will enable us to accelerate our foothold in the hospitality market across the UK and continue to grow our services as a Managed IT & Communications solutions provider in the South West.”

Karen McGowan, co-owner of Orbiss, commented: “Working with Jay for over 16 years has allowed us to build a great amount of trust in his service, and we’re excited for our team and customers to be part of Flotek Group’s ambitious plans for the future.”

Karen Patterson added: “We are very much looking forward to being part of Flotek’s phenomenal growth and are delighted to continue serving our nationwide customers alongside our team that has helped us make the business what it is, now with Flotek’s service offering of nationwide IT & Cyber Security Support and client base behind us.”

GS Verde was delighted to have assisted Flotek on their landmark 10th acquisition in 18 months. Their multidiscipline team consisting of law, finance, tax, and communications expertise has advised on each Flotek acquisition from deal structuring through to completion.