Operam Education Group, a UK-based education recruitment firm announced it completed its first acquisition in the further education (FE) sector with the purchase of Nottingham-based Provision Recruitment.

The acquisition was for an undisclosed sum in a deal supported by HSBC and investment firm BGF.

Founded in 2004, Provision Recruitment has built up a strong reputation in the further education sector, supporting colleges with the recruitment of lecturers, according to Operam.

It is the third Midlands based acquisition by Operam, joining Teachers UK and First for Education. The latest deal not only strengthens its regional footprint, but also enables the specialist education recruitment group to further expand into the FE sector across the UK, complementing its expertise in primary, secondary, SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and tutoring recruitment.

Operam CEO Eddie Austin said, “Traditionally, the business has focused on mainstream and SEND education, as part our buy-and-build growth ambitions. This is our first acquisition in the further education sector which enables us to broaden our reach, both from a geographical and sector perspective, integrating a well-established businesse into the group that has real potential to scale across different locations in the UK.”

“This latest acquisition is hugely complementary to our existing suite of services and means we now have the ability to support those in education right from primary school settings through to further education,” Austin added.

Last year, BGF committed a further £2.5 million in follow-on funding to support Operam’s buy-and-build growth strategy, alongside £2.5 million of senior debt from HSBC.