Mouchel boosts team for education outsourcing

Mouchel, the support services group that floated on the Stock Exchange last month, has bought Chelstoke Education Consultants. The price has not been disclosed.

Mouchel anticipates that the outsourcing spend in the education sector will jump from today's figure of £2bn to £20bn within the next five years, and the group is taking steps to assemble a strong education team. It is actively recruiting to increase the size of its team - it has 30 educational specialists at the moment.

Stuart Black, group business development director, said: "The country spends £50bn a year on education and just £2bn of this total is outsourced. That figure will increase - and fast. In highways, for example, between 30% and 40% of spend is now outsourced. The education sector will follow suit."

Mouchel launched its learning services division six months ago after headhunting Bob Hogg and John Turner to head it up. Hogg was previously director of Southampton City Council, while Turner was senior adviser at the Department for Education and Skills.

Hogg said: "We are looking to fill director, assistant director and senior manager roles." Black added: "Some contracts will come with 300 to 400 people. We are preparing to bid for educational outsourcing."