Member Article

Entrust acquires Newcastle’s Pitman Training franchise

North East business support organisation Entrust has acquired IT and secretarial training outfit Pitman Training for an undisclosed sum.

Following Entrust’s move to new premises in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, the not-for-profit organisation have acquired Pitman to expand their services in the North East.

Entrust had originally been approached to provide advice to the former husband and wife owners of Pitman Training Newcastle, who wanted to sell the business and retire.

Dan Brophy, Entrust CEO, said: “About three or four months ago, the owners came to see me to seek advice. The more I heard about the business, the more I liked - so I thought I’d buy it.

“Our plan is to grow the business by making the Pitman offer more accessible to SMEs, given our background, and we also aim to expose some of the Pitman clients to employment opportunities in these companies.”

Dan also said the Pitman Group were extremely supportive of the deal as they see the North East as a market with potential for the business.

The nearest Pitman franchises operate in Carlisle and Leeds.

Dan added: “Given the fact that we’re starting to emerge from recession, there will be a need for staff to upskill and now is exactly the right time for this acquisition.

“We think that Entrust clients will get a lot from Pitman, and Pitman clients will get a lot from Entrust clients.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .