BUSINESS bankers from Bradford have supported a deal in which former divisional directors have acquired an expanding IT recruitment and training firm.

Estio Technology Recruitment, with offices in Halifax, Manchester, London and due to open soon in Leeds, has been acquired by the directors of its former training division with support from Yorkshire Bank..

The move will allow the enlarged business to provide an integrated IT offering across the North of England and London.

Estio Training started supplying and training IT apprentices in 2014 as a trading division of its recruitment parent company to address the growing skills shortage in the professional IT sector. Due to growth, within a year it was demerged under separate management and ownership, and incorporated as a business entity in its own right.

The funding package was delivered by Anthony Cope, relationship manager at the bank’s private banking centre in Bradford.

Robert Turner, Estio Training managing director, said:“The forthcoming introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 will mean that businesses no longer see their IT apprenticeship programmes working in isolation, but as an integral and vital part of their overall recruitment strategy. With this acquisition, Estio Training is now uniquely positioned to offer a complete recruitment and training solution to its growing client base.”

The company has provided more than 350 IT apprentices to companies across the UK since its launch, from SMEs to multinationals. It specialises in providing network infrastructure engineers, software engineers, digital and web developers.

Andy Davidson, Yorkshire Bank’s head of business and private banking in Bradford, said:“Estio Training is a prime example of a strong northern company providing essential services across the UK. The skills agenda is a Government priority and Estio Training is helping ensure that the region remains competitive and equipped to deal with the shortage.”