Davies, the leading specialist professional services and technology business, serving insurance and highly regulated markets, today announced that it has signed a deal to purchase the trade and assets of Bespoke Training Solutions (“BTS”), a learning and development consultancy, specialising in regulated exam support for the financial services sector.  

For 20+ years, BTS has provided training and support to financial planning professionals undertaking their CII diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and CII advanced exams. Support is provided to both individuals and corporate clients via its Digital Academy through which learners have access to a range of digital study guides, e-learning modules, workshops and webinars delivered by BTS’ highly experienced team of technical experts.  

Following today’s announcement, Davies will continue to provide training and support materials to the 1,000+ learners already subscribed to BTS’ Digital Academy, working for a range of firms across the financial services sector. BTS’ employees, including co-founders, Luiza Todd and Jeff Scholes, will join Davies’ Professional Education Practice, led by Senior Partner, Craig Potter.  

Luiza Todd, Director and co-founder at BTS said: “We’re extremely proud of the business we have built and the positive impact BTS has made so far on learners preparing for their professional qualifications. We’re very much looking forward to joining Davies, as we embark on the next step on BTS’ journey.   

Jeff Scholes, Director and co-founder at BTS added: “Davies’ vast experience in delivering exceptional training for highly regulated markets, its expertise in delivering apprenticeships coupled with its continued investment in technology will enhance our offering further to both the ongoing and long-term benefit of our individual and corporate clients.”  

Davies is one of the largest training providers in the UK for the insurance and financial services sector. The deal extends Davies’ learning offering for existing clients and adds BTS’ digital platform as a new channel to its portfolio of products. Last year, over 1,500 learners completed apprenticeships in insurance and financial services with Davies. In September 2023 the firm announced that it would take on the training and support for over 200 learners from a number of insurance and financial services firms after Babbington announced its exit from delivering financial services apprenticeships standards.   

Mark Grocott, CEO, Global Solutions, Davies said: “We are delighted to welcome the BTS team. BTS has a strong reputation for producing high quality learning materials to help ambitious professionals access the tools they need to succeed in the industry.”  

Davies delivers professional services and technology solutions for over 1,800 clients across the insurance, financial services and other highly regulated markets. Its service offering includes excellence in claims, underwriting, distribution, regulation and risk, forensic accounting, customer experience, human capital, digital transformation and change management.