BPP Education Group announces acquisition of ButterCups Training

The acquisition by BPP will enable Buttercups Training to accelerate its growth while continuing to invest in quality, customer experience and expanding its offering to meet the growing demands of pharmacy staff.

Buttercups provides apprenticeship programmes, training for professional qualifications and professional development for pharmacists, primary care professionals, the prison service and the armed forces. Buttercups' in-depth understanding of the sector, combined with its experienced team of professionals, has resulted in the company becoming a leading provider of courses for the UK's largest pharmaceutical groups, making a significant impact on the UK healthcare workforce.

BPP is a leading course provider for undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes in the healthcare and nursing sector. We are excited to add another industry to our portfolio, emerging in the pharmaceutical sector.

The acquisition of Buttercups Training will help BPP focus on delivering a broader portfolio of programmes to clients and provide access to a leading portfolio of vocational and apprenticeship courses. This is one element of our growth strategy, which includes, with the support of sponsor TDR Capital, expanding our portfolio and geographical reach through strategic acquisitions of relevant education businesses.

Graham Gaddes, CEO of BPP, commented: ‘The acquisition of Buttercups Training introduces a new range of programmes to the BPP portfolio. There is an unprecedented demand for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the UK and this shortage will continue to grow. The acquisition of Buttercups will allow us to support their growth plans and focus on filling the skills gap in the healthcare sector through our unique training programmes. This in turn builds on our vision of ‘Building careers through education’. The highly experienced Buttercups Training team is a perfect cultural fit for BPP and we look forward to welcoming them to the BPP Education Group.’

Vanessa Kingsbury, founder of Buttercups Training, commented: ‘Reflecting on the journey from its inception in 1988 to where we are today fills me with pride and gratitude. Buttercups has grown from a small initiative into a mark of excellence in the industry, influencing not only our clients but also the pharmaceutical sector in which they work by setting standards.
Our success is a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of the entire Buttercups family, our employees, our stakeholders and every student who has believed in our mission.
I look to the future under the new leadership of BPP Education Group with optimism and excitement. The synergy between our mission and their expertise opens up unparalleled opportunities for growth, innovation and further impact on a great pharmacy workforce.
Together, we are able to address critical skills gaps, support the changing needs of healthcare and foster a workforce that is not only equipped with knowledge, but also with the innovation, resilience and compassion to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.
With expanded resources, our clients will receive an even richer learning experience that is even more timely and comprehensive.
I am extremely grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey so far and I look forward to the opportunities that the BPP Education Group opens up for us.’