Reed Group completes acquisition of leading CIPD qualifications provider Watson Martin
The Reed Group has announced it has completed the acquisition of Watson Martin, a provider of CIPD HR qualifications and apprenticeships.
- Acquisition reinforces the Reed Group’s position in the education and training sector
- Strengthens Watson Martin’s position as a leading provider of HR qualifications
Friday 6th August, London | UK The Reed Group today announced it has completed the acquisition of Watson Martin, a provider of CIPD HR qualifications and apprenticeships.
The acquisition of Watson Martin expands the Reed Group’s offering in the education and training sector by providing jobseekers, course seekers and professionals with access to Watson Martin’s renowned CIPD HR qualifications and apprenticeships. The company has supported thousands of candidates to complete their professional qualifications, achieving a 98% overall success rate and consistently outstanding CIPD quality assurance ratings.
Following the acquisition, Pierre Vangrevelynghe, Managing Director of Reed Learning – the learning arm of the Reed Group – has been appointed as Managing Director of the Watson Martin Ltd business. James Reed, Chairman of the Reed Group, and Nigel Marsh, Group Chief Financial Officer of the Reed Group, will also become Directors of Watson Martin Limited.
The full team has been retained, and is headed by Marissa Bryan, Chief Operating Officer. Watson Martin founding partners, Heather Watson and Melanie Martin, will remain as Directors until July 2022.
Watson Martin has been a leading provider of CIPD qualifications, HR and L&D apprenticeships and consultancy since 2004, over which time clear synergies had developed between the business and the Reed Group following a long and successful partnership. For the Reed Group, the acquisition presents an opportunity to further strengthen its proposition as a leading and trusted learning provider.
"The addition of Watson Martin is a great opportunity to grow our presence in the education and training sector, as well as to diversify and create a unique proposition for our customers,” comments Pierre Vangrevelynghe, Managing Director of Reed Learning. “The acquisition consolidates a successful partnership that the Reed Group and Watson Martin have worked together on over a number of years and builds upon our joint values.”
Heather Watson, Watson Martin’s founding partner, says: “We are delighted to now be part of the Reed Group. It will give us the chance to gain access to a wider audience of qualification seekers, recruiters and HR professionals, as well as benefit from the association with the Reed Group’s trusted and well-established brand.”
Melanie Martin, Watson Martin’s founding partner, adds, “We have always had a strong working relationship and a similar approach to business to the Reed Group. This acquisition will help Watson Martin scale its product offering to Reed Group’s global customer base.”
To celebrate joining the Reed Group, Watson Martin is offering 15% off all CIPD qualifications to Reed customers during August. Contact Watson Martin on 020 7932 2760 for further details and quote WM2021 when booking.