What Simian does

SIMIAN (legal name: SIMIAN Risk Group) is a UK-based, privately held construction health and safety training and consultancy firm founded in 2005 and headquartered in Warrington. The company delivers a comprehensive portfolio of industry-accredited training courses — primarily CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme), PASMA mobile access tower, and CITB Site Safety Plus qualifications — alongside 18–24 month apprenticeship schemes in scaffolding, roofing, and civil engineering groundworks. Course delivery spans entry-level training (Construction Operatives Training Scheme, Trainee Scaffolder Part One) through to advanced qualifications (Advanced Scaffolder, Advanced Scaffold Inspection, Supervisor), with prices ranging from £160 (one-day PASMA) to £1,749.50 (ten-day Trainee Scaffolder Part Two Tube and Fitting), most of which are eligible for CITB grant claims via specific GET codes.

The underlying technology is a conventional training delivery platform with regional course availability checking, online booking, and CITB grant claim processing. SIMIAN operates five physical training centres (Warrington, Weston-Super-Mare, Waltham Forest/London, Hertfordshire, Llangefni) plus a channel partnership at Creator Scaffold Designs in Yorkshire for public scaffold training. The proprietary SCAFFPLAN offering is positioned as a specialist scaffolding planning tool within the consultancy portfolio. Accreditations with CISRS, PASMA, CITB, NOCN, NASC, Scaffolding Association, Layher Ltd, and the Matrix Standard, plus an Ofsted Good rating, underpin the firm's positioning.

SIMIAN generates revenue primarily through fee-for-service professional training courses (pay-as-you-go unit pricing), supplemented by employer-sponsored apprenticeship delivery (multi-year contracts funded via government apprenticeship frameworks and employer contributions) and consultancy services covering scaffolding, construction, and management systems. The go-to-market is a hybrid of self-serve website booking for individual professionals and direct employer sales for apprenticeship cohorts. The firm self-describes as "one of the largest training providers in the UK" in the construction sector and serves UK and global construction clients through a dedicated consultancy team.

Name

Simian

Legal name

SIMIAN Risk Group

Website

https://simian-risk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SIMIAN is a UK-based construction health and safety training and consultancy provider delivering CISRS, PASMA, and CITB-accredited courses, apprenticeships, and compliance consultancy to UK and global construction clients through five training centres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Safety Training and Consultancy

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scaffolding, Rigging & Access Systems (EDAOAAAK), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

Keywords

• Construction safety training
• Scaffolding training courses
• CISRS accredited training
• PASMA tower training
• Construction apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Warrington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Courses: Fee-for-service training courses across scaffolding, PASMA, CITB Site Safety Plus, and construction health & safety. Courses range from 1-day to 10-day programs with varying prices. Revenue generated through course fees, with CITB grants available to eligible employers.
2. Apprenticeship Programs: Apprenticeship delivery for scaffolding, roofing, and civil engineering groundworks. Apprenticeships typically range from 18-24 months and are employer-sponsored. Revenue derived from government apprenticeship funding frameworks and employer contributions.
3. Consultancy Services: Construction health & safety consultancy, scaffolding consultancy, construction consultancy, and management systems services provided to UK and global construction clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SIMIAN delivers accredited construction health and safety training — primarily CISRS scaffolding courses (Tube and Fitting and Layher system), PASMA mobile access tower courses, CITB Site Safety Plus courses, and apprenticeship schemes in scaffolding, roofing, and civil engineering groundworks — delivered at a UK-wide network of training centres. Alongside training, the company provides Scaffolding, Construction, and Management Systems consultancy services to UK and global construction clients, plus a scaffolding planning tool called SCAFFPLAN and bespoke training programmes.

Product overview

SIMIAN is a nationally recognised construction health and safety training and consultancy provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of training courses and professional services. The core offering includes CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) courses for tube and fitting and Layher system scaffolding, PASMA mobile access tower training, CITB Site Safety Plus courses, and apprenticeship programmes in Scaffolding, Roofing, and Civil Engineering Groundworks. The training portfolio ranges from entry-level courses like Construction Operatives Training Scheme (COTS) and Trainee Scaffolder Part One through to advanced qualifications including Advanced Scaffolder and Advanced Scaffold Inspection courses. Supplementary offerings include Bespoke Training, SCAFFPLAN, and consultancy services covering Scaffolding Consultancy, Construction Consultancy, and Management Systems. The company operates training centres in Warrington, Weston-Super-Mare, Waltham Forest, Hertfordshire, and Llangefni, with apprenticeship delivery also available in London.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SCAFFPLAN: Scaffolding planning tool or service offering
• CISRS
• PASMA

Products and services

• CISRS Scaffolding Courses Accredited occupational qualification courses for UK scaffolders covering tube and fitting and Layher system scaffolding pathways, from entry-level through Advanced Scaffolder, Inspection, and Supervisor courses. Successful completion issues CISRS cards recognised as the standard occupational qualification for UK scaffolders.
• PASMA Mobile Access Tower Courses PASMA-accredited training for mobile aluminium access tower users, covering assembly, alteration, dismantling, inspection, and combined low-level access. Successful completion awards a PASMA certificate and PhotoCard.
• CITB Site Safety Plus Courses CITB Site Safety Plus training providing construction industry workers with health and safety skills and knowledge required to progress at all site levels, including the one-day Health & Safety Awareness course. Most courses are eligible for CITB grant claims via specific GET codes.
• Apprenticeships in Scaffolding, Roofing, and Civil Engineering Groundworks Multi-year (18–24 month) employer-sponsored apprenticeship programmes combining workplace experience with specialist training in scaffolding, roofing, or civil engineering groundworks, supported by government apprenticeship funding frameworks.
• Bespoke Training Customised construction and scaffolding training programmes tailored to specific organisational requirements, delivered to employer groups at SIMIAN training centres or client sites.
• SCAFFPLAN Specialist scaffolding planning tool or service offered as part of SIMIAN's training and consultancy portfolio, supporting scaffold design and planning workflows.
• Scaffolding Consultancy Expert advisory services covering scaffolding operations, safety, and compliance for UK and global construction clients, delivered by SIMIAN's specialist consultant team.
• Construction Consultancy General construction industry consultancy services provided to UK and global clients across construction, infrastructure, and industrial environments.
• Management Systems Consultancy Consultancy services for the implementation, auditing, and maintenance of management systems, supporting construction clients in meeting recognised standards and compliance obligations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 75% of employers reported that taking on apprentices helped make their organisations more competitive

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISRS is the recognised occupational qualification scheme for UK-based scaffolders. SIMIAN delivers CISRS-accredited courses including Trainee Scaffolder, Scaffolder, Advanced Scaffolder, Supervisor, and Inspection courses. Successful completion results in CISRS certificate and card.
• PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPASMA is the international trade association for the mobile access tower industry. SIMIAN delivers PASMA courses including Towers for Users and Combined Towers for Users and Low Level, providing PASMA certificate and PhotoCard upon completion.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMIAN delivers CITB Site Safety Plus courses and most courses are eligible for CITB grant claims using specific GET codes. CITB levy-paying employers can claim back training costs.
• NOCN (National Open College Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation body whose logo appears in footer, indicating NOCN accreditation for some qualifications offered by SIMIAN.
• NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry trade body for scaffolding. NASC Safety and Technical Guidance (SG4) referenced in course content for SIMIAN training programs.
• Scaffolding AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association representing scaffolding sector. Their logo appears on SIMIAN's website indicating industry alignment and support.
• Layher LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLayher is a manufacturer of system scaffolding (Allround). SIMIAN offers dedicated Layher courses including Layher Allround BASE, SSPTS, and Inspection courses. Training aligned with Layher manufacturer's instructions and system scaffolding specifics.
• Creator Scaffold DesignsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYorkshire-based scaffolding company now hosting SIMIAN's public scaffold training courses at their facility, expanding SIMIAN's training reach in the region.
• Matrix StandardminorOthersMatrix Standard accreditation logo appears on SIMIAN website, indicating quality assurance for information, advice, and guidance services.
• CIST (Menai)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining centre location in North Wales (Llangefni) operating as CIST (Menai) for some CISRS courses including COTS, expanding SIMIAN's geographic footprint.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 3B Training: UK-based construction, safety and health training provider delivering NEBOSH, IOSH, CITB and scaffolding-adjacent courses to construction employers, overlapping directly with Simian's CISRS, PASMA and CITB Site Safety Plus portfolio. Operates a multi-region centre network across the UK with similar pricing per-course model.
• Astutis: UK-accredited training provider focused on NEBOSH and IOSH health & safety qualifications with corporate B2B delivery, serving the same construction/safety buyer as Simian and competing for the same employer training budgets. Targets a shared CISRS-adjacent construction compliance buyer.
• RRC International: UK-based health, safety and environmental training provider delivering NEBOSH, IOSH and construction safety courses via classroom and e-learning, directly overlapping Simian's CITB/Site Safety Plus proposition for the same construction employer audience.
• Cardinus Risk Management: UK-based workplace safety, ergonomics and risk consultancy with associated training delivery, overlapping Simian's consultancy/services arm (management systems, construction health and safety) for similar EHS-procurement buyers.
• CISTC (Construction Industry Scaffolder Training Centre): Specialist scaffolding training centre delivering CISRS-accredited courses across tube and fitting and system scaffolding, directly comparable to Simian's CISRS portfolio and serving the same card-holder renewal audience.

Broad incumbents

• British Safety Council: Long-established UK safety training and awarding body offering health & safety qualifications and consultancy across multiple industries including construction; competes with Simian in the broader EHS training category rather than scaffolding-specific niches.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board): Statutory industry training board that sets standards, runs its own Site Safety Plus courses and administers grant frameworks; while primarily a regulator/funder, CITB also delivers training in some categories that overlap with Simian's offerings.
• St John Ambulance (Workplace Training): UK training provider with broad workplace safety and first-aid offerings including construction site-relevant modules, sharing the EHS training buyer with Simian but with a wider portfolio and stronger consumer brand recognition.

Others

• NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation): UK trade body for the scaffolding industry whose SG4 safety guidance is referenced in Simian's training content; serves as both an industry-standards setter and adjacent ecosystem player for scaffolding training market participants.
• CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme): Industry accreditation body whose scheme Simian delivers against; while not a direct competitor, CISRS-approved centres collectively form the supply alternative to Simian's scaffolding training, with other approved centres (e.g., LTC, NCC) offering the same CISRS courses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/simianrisk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Simian