Australian charity buys into UK welfare-to-work market

Finance | Vibeka Mair | 16 Aug 2011

An Australian charity has acquired welfare-to-work training provider North Wessex Training Ltd.

North Wessex Training will now operate as a not-for-profit organisation under its new owner Campbell Page, which is an Australian community, employment and training charity.

North Wessex Training is currently sub-contracted to the government’s Work Programme.

Xavier Crimmins, CEO of Campbell Page, said: “This acquisition marks a new chapter for Campbell Page. It is a platform for growth and underpins our long-term commitment to the UK.”

This is Campbell Page’s first step into the European welfare-to-work market.

Mary Cripps-Warwick, general manager UK and Europe at Campbell Page, will lead the day-to-day running of North Wessex Training. She said the move reflects the charity’s wish to help as many people as possible.

Cripps-Warwick added: “There are learning opportunities for Australia and the UK. Both countries face similar challenges.

“Campbell Page has a proven track record and a wealth of experience from our operations in Australia. We are keen to bring this expertise to the UK market in what is a challenging time for the welfare-to-work sector.”

Campbell Page is on the Department for Work And Pension's Framework of providers. Cripps-Warwick said the organisation hopes to bid for future contracts.

Cripps-Warwick was previously deputy chief executive at Careers Development Group, a prime contractor on the Work Programme. Prior to joining Careers Development Group, Mary was a regional manager at Action for Employment, one of the largest welfare-to-work providers in the UK.

It’s not the first time that a UK welfare-to-work provider has merged with a similar Australian entity.

In 2009, the Shaw Trust made its first international merger with Interwork, the largest specialist disability employment charity in South Australia. The deal added £5m to Shaw Trust’s annual income.

Directory: Shaw Trust

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