Insights
Benchmark International Completes Sale of XL Graduate Placement to Nicholas Associates Group
November 11, 2015
Benchmark International is delighted to announce the successful sale of Newcastle based XL Graduate Placement to South Yorkshire headquartered Nicholas Associates Group, in a deal for an undisclosed sum.
The deal is the first in a number of planned acquisitions for Nicholas Associates and will see XL Graduate join Stafforce, Apprentice Employment Agency and other brands in its portfolio.
XL Graduate Placement was established in 2011 to provide graduates with placements into paid, vocational work with employers nationwide. Since inception it has grown revenue to an impressive seven figure sum and today boasts a growing number of SME and FTSE clients across the UK.
The shareholders of XL Graduate Placement commented, “Joining Nicholas Associates will quite simply turbo charge XL's growth plans. The additional opportunities that this will provide to our 23,000 graduate stakeholders is immensely exciting for them and for the XL team. The benefits to graduates of a paid work placement in the field in which they want to build their career are abundantly clear; we will now have the scale, reach and resources to help thousands more graduates take the crucial first step on the career ladder.”
Established in 1977, Nicholas Associates offers apprentice-to-boardroom talent management solutions for SMEs and international corporates. Via its diverse recruitment brands, it provides placements for apprentice, graduate, and blue and white collar positions on both a permanent and temporary basis.
Nicholas Associates Group CEO, Lisa Gainsford, commented, “We are very excited about XL joining our Group and it demonstrates our commitment to empowering young people and supporting their career journey from the start. It fits perfectly with our Apprentice Employment Agency and our software business, which, through its All Together platform enables almost 50% of the UK’s 16-18 year olds to access work experience placements as well as supporting a number universities in managing student work placements.”
The deal was carefully managed by Jonathon Parkinson of Benchmark International and the team extends its best wishes to both parties moving forward.
Share This Post
Categories
Get These Insights Delivered Directly To Your Email
Explore our curated collection today and stay ahead of the curve in M&A.
Related Posts
Benchmark International Named Investment Banking Firm of the Year for the Second Year in a RowThe M&A Advisor announced the winners of the 16th Annual International M&A Awards, and Benchmark International was again recognized in several categories, including being named Investment Banking Firm of the Year for the second consecutive year.Benchmark International also received the following awards this year:M&A Deal of the Year ($10MM to $25MM) • For the acquisition of Whistler Tech by Milexia Consumer Staples Deal of the Year • For the acquisition of Copernus Ltd. by Suempol Sp The M&A Advisor Awards are known as the Oscars of the M&A world, serving as the industry benchmark for dealmaking excellence and recognizing the leading M&A transactions, restructurings, deal financings, products and services, firms, and professionals. An independent panel of global M&A, restructuring, and corporate finance practitioners evaluated nominations from around the world, representing companies with deals ranging from $10 million to more than $10 billion. The winners will be honored on September 15-16, 2025, at a black-tie gala in New York City.Kayla Sullivan Earns the M&A Advisor's Emerging Leaders AwardBenchmark International is pleased to announce that our very own Kayla Sullivan has been named an Emerging Leader by The M&A Advisor’s 16th Annual M&A Awards. This award is given to a distinguished group of rising stars shaping the future of mergers & acquisitions, restructuring, and corporate finance.