RelyOn acquires Develop Training in the UK

RelyOn, operating in more than 20 countries, has entered into an agreement to acquire Develop Training from the JTL Group.

With this acquisition, RelyOn will enhance its training-offering, positioning itself to better support the evolving needs of the UK’s electrical and utility infrastructure sectors. RelyOn is committed to building a robust global electrical training and consulting service, with an emphasis on High and Low Voltage (HV and LV) electrical systems. This acquisition allows RelyOn to broaden its training footprint with an expanded suite of compliance, technical, and safety courses tailored to the UK’s critical infrastructure sectors, including gas, water, electricity, healthcare, defence, facilities management, and data centers.

Develop Training brings an organisation with highly qualified trainers, who specialise in delivering practical, short-course training programs in HV and LV electrical systems, mechanical systems, and electrical installations. Its focus on compliance and safety training aligns with RelyOn's mission to support clients in safeguarding their people, assets, and the environment.

Chris Claydon, CEO of JTL, expressed optimism about the transaction, saying, "This sale enables JTL to focus on its core business of electrical and plumbing Apprenticeship services, meeting the increasing demand across the UK. We are confident that RelyOn is the right home for Develop, where it will continue to flourish supporting technical and safety training that is essential to our industry.”

Colin Leyden, MD of RelyOn UK, remarked, "This acquisition represents a significant expansion of RelyOn’s expertise in HV and LV electrical training and bolsters our facility network across the UK, which now includes Liverpool, York, Derby, Swindon, Brentwood, Aberdeen, and Teesside, and co-locations such as our new High and Low Voltage Hub at Cleveland Redcar College. We are thrilled to welcome the Develop team to RelyOn and look forward to working closely with JTL to serve its members alongside our own clients."

Lisa Parkinson, MD Electrical Services at RelyOn, added, “We are excited to invest in industry-relevant training that builds skills, flexibility, and mobility for workers across the construction, operations, and maintenance sectors. The Develop acquisition positions us to better support the UK’s major transitions toward clean energy, electrification and digitisation .”

Andrew Eldred, COO of the Electrical Contractors Association, shared his perspective: “This acquisition offers Develop an opportunity to accelerate its growth with a strong, established training partner committed to investing in the future. With RelyOn’s backing, Develop will be well-positioned to expand its services and capabilities as industry demands evolve.”

The acquisition is expected to close in 2024. Following the transaction, RelyOn will integrate Develop Training’s programs into its wider portfolio and expand its commitment to delivering industry-leading training solutions that meet the changing needs of critical infrastructure sectors in the UK.

The JTL Group were advised and supported by Beaumonde Consultants Ltd on the divestment of Develop Training.

About RelyOn

RelyOn delivers safety, compliance and competence services and solutions around the world. Across their 30+ facilities, RelyOn helps clients protect their people, assets and the environment. RelyOn has a deep history going back over 50 years and leads, through the intelligent application of latest technology, the energy sector and other safety critical industries. RelyOn is leading the safety and technical training field and has a broad range of innovative digital services, including digital learning, simulation technology and a market-leading suite of SaaS applications.

About Develop Training

Develop Training offers specialised training courses for compliance, technical, and safety across HV and LV electrical systems, mechanical systems, and electrical installations. Serving critical infrastructure sectors, Develop Training has a strong reputation for supporting gas, water, electricity, healthcare, defence, and data centre industries.

About JTL Group

JTL Group, a not for profit, Independent Training Provider established by the Electrical Contractors’ Association and Unite the Union, is the largest provider of electrical and plumbing apprenticeships in the UK. It currently serves over 8,000 apprentices across England and Wales in partnership with 4,000 businesses. JTL also owns CompEx Certification, the international scheme for competency validation and certification of personnel who work in explosive atmospheres. JTL Group was established over 30 years ago by the Electrical Contractors’ Association and Unite the Union to train apprentices in the electrical and plumbing trades in England and Wales

For more information, please contact:

Colin Leyden, Managing Director UK (RelyOn), cl@relyonnutec.com,+44(0)7803 460 176;

Lisa Parkinson, Managing Director Electrical Services (RelyOn), lp@relyonnutec.com, +45 21993291;

Chris Claydon, CEO JTL, chrisclaydon@jtltraining.com