Capita has been recommended by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) as preferred bidder for the acquisition of the Fire Service College.

The College is the largest single provider of specialist operational fire and rescue training in the UK and occupies a 360 acre site in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

Andy Parker, joint chief operating officer at Capita, said: “The FSC provides training to all of the UK fire and rescue services, to a number of other government agencies, such as the Environment Agency and Highways Agency and, from the college, to overseas customers.

"The acquisition further expands and complements Capita’s existing capability in the emergency services market. Our aim is to develop the College into a leading edge training facility that can showcase new technology, and to expand both the range of training available to the fire service, other emergency services and into related markets, such as defence and oil and gas.

“Our transformation and development programme will re-affirm the college’s position as not only a UK centre for national resilience and interoperability training but also its emergence as a world class organisation. Over the next 10 years we anticipate growing the FSC, which currently generates annual revenues of approximately £17m, to an organisation capable of generating total revenues in excess of £200m in that period.”

CFOA National Resilience Ltd, and TQ, part of the Pearson Group, which delivers safety critical training for clients in the defence, oil and gas sectors, both in the UK and overseas, will be key partners in Capita’s transformation of the college.

Vij Randeniya, CFOA President said, “CFOA has been closely involved during the negotiation on the future of the Fire Service College and we are pleased with today’s outcome which we hope will secure the long term future of a world class facility for the fire and rescue service. There is now a tangible opportunity for Capita to make real progress in providing innovation and investment.”

The Government will now hold further discussions to ensure a smooth transition and it is anticipated that the sale will be completed early in the New Year.

Posted 14/12/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com