Specialist training firm Bristol Management Centre, which launched 40 years to help Royal Navy personnel re-train when they left the service, has been sold to a newly established company that plans to expand its offering.
Bristol Management Centre, based in Armada House in the city centre, now provides project management and other leadership training for businesses and individuals although much of its work is still linked to equipping Armed Forces personnel with skills for careers outside the services. 
Its high quality in-service and resettlement courses are accredited and approved by the MoD.
The sale gives founder John Platts and his business partner Karen Cottrell more time to devote to their other business interests.
Mr Platts will work with the acquirers IMD Bristol for a period of time to safeguard existing relationships.
IMD Bristol was formed in May by Neill Friend, chairman of award-winning global digital media company Olive Media. He sold his previous business Indigo Retail to loyalty payment group Universal for £1.7m two years ago.
Taunton-based IMD Bristol plans to expand the training offered by Bristol Management Centre to incorporate new media and extend its training to rank and file forces personnel. 
The sale was handled by Susannah Adams, corporate finance partner in accountants Milsted Langdon’s Taunton office. She said: “This has been a very interesting transaction to be involved with and I am thoroughly pleased to see a successful outcome.”
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
