Profound Services Completes First Part of Its Ambitious Expansion Plans

North East-based training and recruitment provider Profound Services has completed its first acquisition as part of an ambitious business growth strategy.

The Peterlee-based firm has acquired Northern Care Training Ltd ('NCT'), a South Shields-based assessment centre and training provider, taking Profound Services’ staff from 25 to 45 members.

Steven Ward, Managing Director of Profound Services, said: “We are passionate at Profound about our business growth strategy. We were looking to take on additional business and when this opportunity presented itself, we went ahead as quickly as we could.  It is our first acquisition and is, I believe, the start of things to come. The staff from NCT are now based at our Peterlee offices as we look to invest in our own business premises as part of our growth programme.

“NCT will remain independent of Profound as we plan to further develop their brand and excellent reputation within the care sector. They enjoy strong employer relationships across the north east and are currently providing training for South Tyneside Local Authority, a number of local care homes across the region as well as securing preferred provider status with Housing21, the UK’s largest non-profit care provider.  It is paramount that our care home employers and staff have access to quality Health & Social Care training.

“At Profound Services we have pre-employability programmes, where we train unemployed people and get them ready for work. I think it’s our expertise here that will enable us to offer better training for care home workers, whilst  addressing the issues that sector is facing around staff training.”

While Profound Services has its roots in the North East, having started in 2006 in Peterlee, it has an ambitious national growth strategy as well.

“We are a national training provider and have a focus on two key areas at the moment – Cumbria and the Scottish markets. We already have a foothold up there, which we are now looking to consolidate,” Steven added.

Profound Services was advised on the deal by a team at leading commercial law firm Muckle LLP, including corporate finance partner Craig Swinhoe and solicitor Jennifer Swansey, as well as Peter Clegg from the firm’s property group.

Craig Swinhoe from Muckle LLP said: “It was exciting for us to be working with a relatively young business with such ambitious plans for growth."

Jennifer Swansey from Muckle LLP added "This was the first time we’d worked with Steven Ward and the team at Profound Services and we all worked well together from the very start. At Muckle LLP we pride ourselves on the relationships we have with our clients, and so we look forward to building on that and working with Profound Services again in the future.”

Steven Ward continued “We’re looking at other acquisitions and I have to say, having had Muckle LLP handle the NCT takeover – which was our first acquisition, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. They were very professional, extremely efficient, and very responsive against challenging deadlines.  Clearly an experienced team and very reliable when called upon to advise on business critical issues. A big thank you to Jennifer Swansey, Craig Swinhoe and their team – the level of service was second to none.”