MBKB

What MBKB does

MBKB is a UK-based, Ofsted Outstanding-rated apprenticeship and professional training provider founded in 2016 and headquartered in Dudley. The company delivers government-funded apprenticeship programmes from Level 2 through Level 7 (degree apprenticeships), spanning Business Administration, Internal Audit, Operations/Departmental Management and Senior Leadership, alongside a Development Modules and Consultancy offering covering Leadership, Management, HR, Payroll, Finance, Coaching, Learning & Development, Corporate Responsibility and Early Years. Its core technology is an online learning platform and webinar delivery infrastructure used to support remote programme delivery, with no proprietary AI features disclosed.

MBKB's customer base is hybrid and UK-domestic: it serves both public-sector employers (Manchester Council, Wolverhampton Council, NHS) and private enterprises (Royal Mail, Topps Tiles, Krispy Kreme, Howdens, Morson) via direct employer engagement and an internal Recruitment Manager that sources apprentices through gov.uk listings. Revenue is primarily generated through government-funded apprenticeship contracts and supplementary bespoke consultancy, with the PayrockPayroll sub-brand (launched July 2020) extending the model into payroll community content — newsletters, webinars, an app, networking events and an annual festival — as an additional engagement and membership touchpoint.

The business model rests on six core strategic partnerships with UK professional bodies (CIPP, CIPD, IIA, ILM, CMI, AAT), which enable delivery of accredited qualifications. The organisation is founder/management-led (CEO Mark Bremner, COO Lisa Elcocks) with a 51–100 headcount of tutors, assessors, programme leads and support staff, and no disclosed external institutional investment or acquisition activity.

Name

MBKB

Legal name

MBKB

Website

https://mbkbgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MBKB is a UK-based, Ofsted Outstanding-rated apprenticeship and professional training provider delivering government-funded apprenticeships (Levels 2–7) and accredited qualifications in Leadership, HR, Payroll, Finance, Audit and Early Years to public-sector and private-sector employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apprenticeship and Vocational Training Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Payroll Services (541214)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Training Grants (Public Health) (HLAJALAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Employer Payroll Processing (SMB & Enterprise) (FSAMAKAA)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship training
• Professional qualifications
• Workforce development
• Payroll training
• Leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

Dudley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training Delivery: Government-funded apprenticeship programmes covering various sectors including Leadership, Management, HR, Payroll, Finance, Coaching, L&D, Corporate Responsibility, and Early Years. Fully approved and funded apprenticeships built around individual company aspirations.
2. Development Modules and Qualifications: Tailored development solutions and professional qualifications for companies and teams, including consultancy services.
3. PayrockPayroll Services: Payroll community support through monthly newsletters, webinars, networking events, and the PayrockPayroll annual payroll festival. Includes the PayrockPayroll app for the payroll community.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MBKB delivers approved and government-funded apprenticeship programmes (Levels 3 through 7) and bespoke development modules, qualifications, and consultancy across leadership, management, HR, payroll, finance, coaching, learning & development, corporate responsibility, and early years. Programmes are tailored to each employer's vision and values and are delivered directly to UK organisations, with the PayrockPayroll sub-brand serving the payroll professional community through newsletters, webinars, and events.

Product overview

MBKB is an Ofsted Outstanding training provider offering a portfolio of apprenticeship programmes and professional development services. The core offering includes apprenticeship programmes across multiple levels: Business Administration (Level 3), Internal Audit Technician (Level 4), Operations/Departmental Manager (Level 5), and Senior Leader (Level 7). MBKB also provides Development Modules covering Leadership, Management, HR, Payroll, Finance, Coaching, Learning & Development, Corporate Responsibility, and Early Years. A sub-brand, PayrockPayroll, delivers payroll-specific newsletters, webinars and community support services for payroll professionals. All programmes are tailored around individual company vision, values, and apprentice aspirations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PayrockPayroll: A dedicated platform providing the payroll community with updates, support and networking opportunities including monthly newsletters, webinars, an app, networking events and an annual payroll festival.

Products and services

• Business Administration Apprenticeship A Level 3 apprenticeship programme providing a transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours applicable across all sectors including small and large businesses and the public, private, and charitable sectors.
• Internal Audit Technician Apprenticeship A Level 4 apprenticeship preparing learners to support internal auditors in providing independent, objective assurance and consulting services across risk management, control, and governance processes.
• Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship A Level 5 apprenticeship programme designed to develop managers to lead and manage teams and departments effectively within organisations.
• Senior Leader Apprenticeship A Level 7 degree apprenticeship programme for senior leaders seeking to develop strategic leadership skills and knowledge.
• Development Modules, Qualifications and Consultancy Tailored development solutions and professional qualifications for companies and teams across Leadership, Management, HR, Payroll, Finance, Coaching, L&D, Corporate Responsibility and Early Years, individually built around the apprentice and business needs.
• Management Consultant Apprenticeships Professional apprenticeship programmes in management consulting designed to develop strategic consulting skills within organisations.
• PayrockPayroll A payroll community support service under MBKB providing monthly newsletters, webinars, networking opportunities, and updates on payroll legislation and regulations.
• Online Payroll Training Services Online training services for payroll professionals covering payroll, pensions, rewards and benefits, provided through expert-led content and guidance notes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Individual becomes an advanced practitioner and effective leader - qualification is a by-product of development

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in delivering payroll qualifications and professional development. MBKB tutors hold CIPP qualifications including Foundation Degree in Payroll Management. CIPP is the professional body for the payroll industry.
• CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery of HR qualifications and professional programmes. MBKB offers CIPD programmes including Level 3, 5, and 7 qualifications.
• IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery of Internal Audit apprenticeships and qualifications. MBKB offers Internal Audit Technician and Internal Audit Practitioner programmes including IIA Foundations of Internal Auditing Level 4 certificate.
• ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery of Leadership and Management qualifications and apprenticeships across various levels.
• CMI (Chartered Management Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for delivering management and leadership qualifications. Tutors hold CMI qualifications.
• AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery of accounting and finance qualifications including Level 2 and 3 programmes.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Babington: UK-based apprenticeship and professional training provider offering programmes in business administration, leadership, and accountancy. Direct competitor to MBKB in the UK apprenticeship delivery market with similar employer-funded model.
• Corndel: UK-based professional development and apprenticeship provider focused on leadership, data, and tech skills, working with major employers. Comparable to MBKB in apprenticeship delivery with overlap in leadership/management programmes, though more digitally enabled.
• Lifetime Training: One of the largest independent apprenticeship training providers in the UK, delivering programmes across multiple sectors including business, childcare, and hospitality. Closely comparable to MBKB in target customer (UK employers) and apprenticeship-led delivery model.
• Remit Training: UK-based apprenticeship training provider operating across England, delivering programmes in business administration, childcare, and management. Directly comparable to MBKB in target customer base and apprenticeship-led service model.
• QA Apprenticeships: UK apprenticeship provider delivering tech, business, and digital programmes as part of the wider QA training group. Comparable to MBKB in apprenticeship delivery across multiple sectors and levels.
• Estio Training: UK apprenticeship provider specialising in digital and business apprenticeships with employer co-funding. Comparable to MBKB in apprenticeship delivery, though with stronger tech/digital vertical focus.
• Multiverse (formerly WhiteHat): Tech-enabled UK apprenticeship platform focused on digital and data apprenticeships with large employer clients. Directly comparable to MBKB as an apprenticeship provider, though differentiated by venture-backed digital delivery model.
• Arch Apprentices: UK apprenticeship provider delivering tech and business programmes to employers across multiple sectors. Directly comparable to MBKB in apprenticeship training delivery for UK employers.

Broad incumbents

• BPP Professional Education: Larger, established UK education and professional training provider offering apprenticeships, professional qualifications, and degree programmes across accounting, law, and business. Comparable to MBKB in curriculum scope and apprenticeship delivery, but at much greater scale and with broader portfolio.

Others

• Chartered Management Institute (CMI): UK professional body awarding management and leadership qualifications, with which MBKB has a core partnership. Included as an ecosystem peer because CMI sets the qualification standards MBKB delivers against, making it a strategic counterpart rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mbkbtraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/mbkbtraining

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MBKB