What Umbrella Training does

Umbrella Training (legal entity: Umbrella Training and Employment Solutions Limited, UK Companies House no. 08284521) is a UK-based independent training provider specialising exclusively in hospitality apprenticeships. Founded in 2012 and registered in Chelmsford with operational offices in Chatham Maritime, Kent, the company delivers Ofsted-registered apprenticeship programmes (UKPRN 10039668) covering culinary pathways (Commis Chef, Chef de Partie), front-of-house service, and Level 5 Operations / Hospitality Manager qualifications to learners aged 16 and above.

The company's product portfolio is delivered through two channels: (1) bespoke enterprise partnerships with progressive hospitality-focused businesses (including Hyatt, Soho House, Rosewood, Iconic Luxury Hotels, The Pig and The Goring) and (2) self-serve open cohorts with scheduled 2026 start dates enabling multi-employer cost sharing and individual learner enrollment. Umbrella Training maintains strategic affiliations with UK Hospitality, Springboard, CHEST, NWAF, RACA and the Education and Skills Group, embedding the firm within UK hospitality industry standards and referral networks.

The business operates a sales-led professional services model, monetising apprenticeship delivery via government apprenticeship levy funding and employer co-investment. The company has no disclosed external funding, no M&A activity, no parent company, and a headcount of 11-50 employees, consistent with a self-funded, organically scaling UK SME. Brand positioning emphasises "Doing Business for Good," reinforced through the Purple Umbrella Awards learner recognition programme and recurring industry events.

Name

Umbrella Training

Legal name

Umbrella Training and Employment Solutions Limited

Website

https://umbrellatraining.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Umbrella Training is a UK-based, Ofsted-registered apprenticeship provider delivering culinary, front-of-house and hospitality management programmes to enterprise hospitality employers (Hyatt, Soho House, Rosewood) and individual learners via open cohorts nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Apprenticeship Training

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitality & Food Service (EDABALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA), Institutional & Commercial Kitchen Training (Schools/Healthcare/Corporate) (EDAOAKAL)

Keywords

• Hospitality apprenticeships
• Culinary training
• Apprenticeship programmes
• Workforce development
• Vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training Services: Revenue generated through providing apprenticeship training programmes to both employers (businesses seeking to upskill staff) and individual learners. Services include front-of-house and culinary programmes at various levels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Umbrella Training is a UK-based apprenticeship training provider specialising in the hospitality sector. The company delivers front-of-house, culinary (Commis Chef, Chef de Partie) and Hospitality Manager (Level 5 Operations Manager) apprenticeship programmes to both employers and individual learners through tailored business partnerships and open cohort enrollment.

Product overview

Umbrella Training is a UK nationwide training and apprenticeship provider specialising in the hospitality sector. The company offers a portfolio of apprenticeship programmes including Culinary Apprenticeships (Commis Chef, Chef de Partie), Hospitality Manager Apprenticeships (Level 5 Operations Manager), and Front-of-House Apprenticeships. These are delivered through open cohorts with flexible start dates, tailored training programmes, and employer engagement services. The company operates as a single unified training platform rather than a modular SaaS product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Purple Umbrella Awards: Awards programme for celebrating learners

Products and services

• Culinary Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes covering culinary skills including Commis Chef and Chef de Partie levels, providing practical kitchen experience combined with theoretical training for learners aged 16 and upwards.
• Hospitality Manager Apprenticeships Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship programme enabling learners to develop leadership capabilities within the hospitality sector.
• Front-of-House Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes focused on front-of-house service skills within the hospitality sector, building confident and capable hospitality professionals.
• Open Cohort Apprenticeship Programmes Enrolled apprenticeship cohorts for Commis Chef, Chef de Partie and Hospitality Manager with start dates throughout 2026, allowing multiple employers to share training costs.
• Tailored Employer Apprenticeship Programmes Bespoke apprenticeship and training programmes developed in partnership with progressive hospitality-focused businesses, addressing specific workforce development needs and driving business growth.

Named customers12 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UK HospitalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Hospitality is a key industry body representing hospitality businesses. Umbrella Training partners with them as part of their industry network to deliver quality apprenticeship programmes.
• SpringboardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpringboard is a hospitality industry charity. Umbrella Training maintains partnership membership as part of their industry engagement and community building in the hospitality sector.
• CHEST (Confederation of Hotel and Accommodation Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CHEST as part of Umbrella Training's network of industry associations and partners serving the hospitality sector.
• NWAF (National Hospitality Academy Framework)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NWAF for delivery of hospitality training frameworks and apprenticeship standards.
• RACA (Royal Academy of Culinary Arts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RACA supporting professional development in culinary arts through apprenticeships.
• Education and Skills GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting educational delivery and skills development frameworks for apprenticeship programmes.
• GTNL (Go Together Network Ltd)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner/member in Umbrella Training's network of industry affiliations.
• Eat PRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPR and marketing partner for communications and industry outreach.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Remit Training: UK apprenticeship provider delivering frameworks across multiple sectors including hospitality, active leisure, and business. It is a comparably sized mid-market incumbent that competes for Levy-funded employer relationships outside of Umbrella's specialisation.
• Babington: Established UK apprenticeship and training provider with multiple sector verticals including business and customer service. It is a broader incumbent that can compete on hospitality adjacent standards but is not as deeply specialized in hospitality as Umbrella.
• BPP Professional Education Group: Large UK-based professional education provider offering apprenticeships, professional development and higher education across multiple disciplines. It is a broader incumbent that could expand into hospitality leadership standards as a competitor to Umbrella's Level 5 Operations Manager programme.
• Learning Curve Group: Publicly listed UK education and training group with apprenticeship, vocational and commercial training across multiple sectors including hospitality. It represents a scaled, capital-rich incumbent that competes for both employer apprenticeship contracts and individual learners.

Direct peers

• Aspire Training Team: SME apprenticeship provider in the UK offering hospitality and care-focused apprenticeship programmes. Comparable in size and specialisation to Umbrella, competing for similar mid-market hospitality employer accounts.
• HIT Training: HIT Training (now part of the Lifetime Training Group) is one of the UK's largest specialist hospitality apprenticeship providers, offering Commis Chef, Chef de Partie and Hospitality Team Member programmes. It directly competes with Umbrella for the same hospitality employer customers and the same Levy-funded pipeline.
• The Chefs' Academy: UK specialist culinary training and apprenticeship provider focused on professional kitchen careers. It overlaps directly with Umbrella's Commis Chef and Chef de Partie programmes and competes for the same learner and employer pipeline.
• Lifetime Training Group: One of the UK's largest apprenticeship providers, with a strong hospitality vertical following the HIT Training acquisition. It competes head-to-head with Umbrella for hospitality employer contracts and benefits from broader sector diversification that Umbrella lacks.

Others

• City & Guilds: UK awarding body that sets vocational qualifications and supports apprenticeship delivery across hospitality. It is not a direct competitor but is an ecosystem participant whose standards and approval processes directly affect Umbrella's product offering.
• Springboard UK: Hospitality industry charity focused on career development and workforce entry programmes. Listed as a partner of Umbrella, it is a complementary ecosystem participant that funnels potential apprentices into the industry rather than a direct training competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UmbrellaTES

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Umbrella Training