Trade Skills 4U, the UK’s no.1 electrical training company have announced that they have won investment from a fund set up to specifically target companies who can make a positive social and environmental impact.

Palatine Private Equity set up the impact fund as a vehicle to assist the growth of companies that can make a positive difference whilst providing return on their investment. Palatine Private Equity were attracted to Trade Skills 4U due to their involvement in helping people retrain or upskill in the growing electrical and renewable energy industries. The investment further highlights Trade Skills 4U’s commitment to providing first class training in the electrical sector for both experienced and new electricians.

The deal involves Palatine backing the existing management team, consisting of executive chairman Carl Bennett, Andy Hays-Ellis and Christos Panayiotou together with Robert Vince, who has had a long career with Interserve, will join the board as a non-executive director.

Customers are assured that they will continue to see the same high standards of customer service delivered by the existing management team. However, the investment from Palatine’s Impact Fund will enable Trade Skills 4U to further improve their offering in particular by opening further centres across the UK.

Carl Bennett, Executive Chairman of Trade Skills 4U said: “Trade Skills 4U provides exceptional training for adults who are looking to develop their skills in an environment tailored to their needs. The business has grown recently with the opening of a new centre in Warrington in 2016, and with Palatine’s support we are looking forward to increasing our presence across the country and increasing our social impact. Palatine have an exceptional track record of supporting companies like Trade Skills 4U with their expansion plans. We have found a unique partner in Palatine given their enviable track record in responsible investing and the recent close of their Impact fund. They have demonstrated that they share our passion and values that support our distinctive proposition in the electrical training sector, and are fully aligned with us in delivering a positive social impact and supporting our continued growth.”

The investment was led by Partners Beth Houghton and Zoe Clements, with support from Matthew Coles, Investment Manager.

Beth Houghton, Head of Impact Fund at Palatine Private Equity, said: “We are delighted to support the management team of Trade Skills 4U with their exciting and impactful expansion plans, and look forward to working with them to build on their success to date and explore a number of growth opportunities.

“Trade Skills 4U typifies the type of company that we are looking to invest in through our new Impact Fund. Namely a growing business with a strong and passionate management team, that looks to make a positive and meaningful social impact.”

For more information about the training opportunities offered by Trade Skills 4U please visit our Course Finder page, alternatively if you would like to speak to our experienced Course Advisers please call 01293 529777 or 0800 856448.


For more information please contact Christos Panayiotou, Marketing Director on chris@tradeskills4u.co.uk or 01293 554 683