March 2019 witnessed the second phase of its buy and build strategy, with the acquisition of Teachers UK and The Education Specialists. This was followed in December 2019, with Key Stage Teacher Supply. A further acquisition of First For Education, in June 2022, complimented our Midlands coverage. Our most recent acquisition of Bridge Education in February 2023 has further strengthened our Lancashire prescence.
The Education Specialists have been operating in the Northwest since 2002 with two branches in Liverpool and Manchester. Teachers UK is an education recruitment agency based in Edwinstowe, that supplies teachers, lecturers and support staff to academies, schools, colleges and nurseries across the East Midlands. Key Stage Teacher Supply, who have operated in Lancashire for 18 years covering Lancashire, Cumbria and surrounding areas. First For Education have been operating across the midlands for decades and have earned a premium reputation for supporting schools across the region. Bridge Education have a wealth of experience, operating since 2014 their success is driven by high standards and candidate support.
2021 saw the launch of Operam Education Tutoring, whose focus is on bridging the learning and development attainment gap, through classroom based tutoring support.
The acquisitions have strengthened Operam’s regional presence further across the UK and brings over 40 years of collective experience to the existing Operam platform.
Being a specialist recruitment agency for all roles related to education, means we have the experience and network of connections to do a great job, day after day.
We have built our reputation and relationships in the market through our intimate knowledge of client needs, our efficiency, and our track record in matching high-quality candidates with the right roles. Our vision for Operam is to drive growth both organically and via acquisition building a group of real scale. I remain excited as we continue to deliver our growth plan with the support and backing of all our stakeholders.”
Eddie Austin
CEO of Operam Education Group
Our Acquisition Strategy
Our investment strategy encompasses people, technology, and business processes, to improve efficiencies and further develop brand reputation and service delivery. We strive to strengthen regionally intimate relationships to position our brands as the recruitment partner of choice within their regions.
Operam Education Group can support education recruitment company owners who are unsure how to achieve their next stage of growth without compromising the identity of their business. Our proven skill and experience have built a network of education recruitment brands across the North and Midlands. Our successful acquisition strategy does not compromise on our underpinning values; we operate with openness and integrity.
Our award-winning people focused culture, makes new colleagues feel secure during the transitioning process; we take care of your staff through continuous investment in their personal and professional development. We have expertise in providing defined career paths starting with apprentices through to directors, enabling individuals to aspire to senior roles within the organisation. Supporting individual development is actively encouraged and is a proud part of our culture. In addition, we have several initiatives that support happiness and well-being within the workplace, which strengthens our position as one of the best companies to work for.
Our evidence-based experience of introducing and integrating the most effective technology platforms within the education recruitment sector, accelerates candidate registration and placement processes. The increased efficiency means that more time can be spent building relationships with both client and candidates, rather than doing manual routine tasks. This is a pre-requisite to success for a fast-paced education recruitment business and we have experience in it, enabling avoidance of pitfalls and a seamless transition that optimises operational effectiveness.
Understanding the emotional journey that business owners will naturally embark upon, whilst considering selling their business, is something that our executive leaders recognise and have empathy with. Their own experiences allow them to offer relative and meaningful support in this area.
If you represent an education recruitment company and are thinking of the next stages in its development and how this can be achieved alongside your own personal objectives, this may now be the time to consider an alternative strategy involving Operam; to find out more, and for a confidential discussion please contact Eddie Austin, CEO of Operam Education Group, at eddie.austin@operam-education.co.uk
CEO of the Year Award
We are immensely proud to share ‘CEO Monthly’ awarded CEO of 2020, within the recruitment industry, to Eddie Austin, CEO of Operam Education Group. The edition of ‘CEO Monthly’ featured an article highlighting his exceptional leadership skills. Congratulations to Eddie, and if you would like to read more from the article, click here https://www.ceo-review.com/issues/issue-7-2020/18/
Best Companies
We’re delighted to have been awarded a starred accreditation from ‘Best Companies to work for’, which means levels of employee engagement within the company are very good. In addition to being awarded a starred accreditation, we’ve made it to the top Best 100 Small Companies to work for in the UK. Regional recognition included Provide Education, making the list for the 75 Best Companies to work for across Yorkshire and Humber, whilst our Northwest brands have also made it on their regional list of the 100 Best Companies to work for in the Northwest.
info@operam-education.co.uk 
0151 9470 440