Australian community, employment and training charity Campbell Page has acquired UK welfare-to-work training provider North Wessex Training.

As part of the Campbell Page group, North Wessex Training will operate as a not-for-profit organisation and any surplus funds will be re-invested into programmes and services that benefit disadvantaged local communities.

Xavier Crimmins, chief executive of Campbell Page, says: “This acquisition marks a new chapter for Campbell Page. It is a platform for growth and underpins our long-term commitment to the UK.”

Mary Cripps-Warwick, general manager UK and Europe for Campbell Page, will now take responsibility for running North Wessex Training, as managing director.

She says: “Campbell Page has a proven track record and a wealth of experience from our operations in Australia, delivering whole-community welfare-to-work projects incorporating training, family services, youth services, housing provision, disability employment services and our work with diverse communities. We are keen to bring this expertise to the UK market in what is a challenging time for the welfare-to-work sector.”