A recruitment business specialising in the education sector has expanded its reach following a buyout deal.
Bristol-based Affinity Workforce Solutions has acquired Nottingham outfit The Protocol Group in an undisclosed deal.
Affinity provides recruitment, compliance and workforce services to schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges and training providers across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.
This latest deal sees three brands join its group.
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They are Protocol FE, which is a recruitment partner to colleges, prisons and training providers, and Bookmark, a supplier of staff across nurseries and schools.
Completing the trio is eSafeguarding, a secure platform for processing and managing Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
The Protocol Group will continue to trade under its own name, with teams now operating as part of Affinity's national network.
The move strengthens Affinity's presence in the East Midlands and adds an additional compliance service for existing clients and enhances its managed service to the further education sector.
Affinity's chief executive Esme Bianchi-Barry said: "Protocol strengthens our presence in further education and brings a digital compliance offer that's already trusted across the sector.
"It's a considered step that supports our growth and the high standards our clients expect."
Protocol Group's interim chief executive Bill Williams added: "We've built our reputation on sector knowledge and trust.
"Affinity brings national scale and infrastructure that will help us do more of what we do best for the clients and settings we know."
This is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Affinity, following the addition of Career Teachers, Monarch Education, CER Education and Sugarman Education.
The combined group will support almost 28,000 candidates placed in schools, colleges and training providers each year.
