GHQ TRAINING

What GHQ TRAINING does

GHQ Training Ltd. is a privately held vocational training provider headquartered at 2 Elizabeth Court, Whimple Street, Plymouth, with operations across approximately 25 years (founded circa 2000, company registration 04599425). The company delivers accredited qualifications in hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy, nail services, childcare and early years, business skills, management/team leading (ILM), and teaching/assessment (VTCT, NCFE CACHE), spanning Level 1 to Level 5 including a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship. It also offers careers information, advice and guidance, safeguarding/student support services, and participates in Advanced Learner Loan funding alongside direct private fees and government-funded courses for eligible learners.

The business runs four physical training centres in Plymouth (headquarters), Torquay, St Austell, and Stockport, supplemented by remote/online delivery for theory components. GHQ Training operates a hybrid GTM motion targeting adult learners (19+), employers seeking staff upskilling, schools/educational institutions across Devon and Cornwall, and young people aged 16-24. It markets through its website, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X), email newsletters, open days, employer engagement activities, and strategic partnerships including Skills Launchpad Plymouth and the National Careers Service. The organization is an OFSTED Good Provider and Disability Confident Employer.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: private course fees (ranging from £135 for one-day courses to £4,680 for advanced qualifications), government funding as an approved training provider, and Advanced Learner Loans for Level 3-5 qualifications. Pricing is structured as one-time/perpetual licenses with payment plans (typically 25-50% deposits) and multi-month to multi-year contract durations. The company has 31 employees and reports a 94% learner satisfaction rate and over 100 learner achievements per academic year, with named customers including Vi Spring (enterprise employer training) and local hairdressing/childcare providers.

Name

GHQ TRAINING

Legal name

GHQ Training Ltd.

Website

https://ghqtraining.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GHQ Training is a Plymouth-based vocational training provider offering accredited qualifications across hair, beauty, childcare, business, management, and teaching to adult learners, employers, schools, and young people across Devon, Cornwall, and the North West.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSALANAK

Salon Business, Management & Retail Training

Home & Personal Services/Personal Care & Beauty Services/Beauty Schools & Training (Cosmetology/Esthetics/Nails)

SECONDARYEDANAIAE

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Adult education
• Beauty training
• Hairdressing courses
• Apprenticeship programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees - Advanced Learner Loans: Learners aged 19+ can apply for Advanced Learner Loans to fund Level 3, 4, or 5 qualifications. Repayments begin when earnings exceed £25,000/year. This provides access to vocational education while generating revenue from government-backed student loans.
2. Private Course Fees: Individual learners or their employers pay directly for courses. Multiple payment plan options available including deposits and installment arrangements. Prices range from £135 for short courses to £4,680 for advanced qualifications.
3. Government Funding: GHQ Training receives government funding as an approved training provider, offering fully funded courses to eligible learners. The organization is described as 'a private organisation receiving government funding'.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

GHQ Training is a vocational training provider delivering accredited qualifications from Level 1 to Level 5 across hairdressing, barbering, beauty, nail services, childcare/early years, business administration, management, and teaching/assessor categories. Courses are delivered through own physical training centres in Plymouth, Torquay, St Austell, and Stockport, supplemented by remote learning, and are funded via private fees, government funding, and Advanced Learner Loans. The company also runs a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship and provides employer and school staff training programmes.

Product overview

GHQ Training is a vocational training provider based in Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall, offering a diverse portfolio of accredited courses and qualifications. The offering consists of multiple course categories covering Hairdressing and Barbering, Beauty and Nail Services, Children and Young People (Childcare/Early Years), Business Skills, Management and Team Leading, and Assessor/Teaching qualifications. These courses range from Level 1 to Level 5 (equivalent to undergraduate level), including vocational NVQ diplomas, VTCT certificates, ILM management qualifications, and teaching/assessor awards. GHQ also provides apprenticeship programs (Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant), student support services including safeguarding and career guidance, and accepts government-funded Advanced Learner Loans for eligible qualifications. The company operates as an OFSTED Good Provider with partnerships including Skills Launchpad Plymouth and local schools across Devon and Cornwall.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children and Young People Courses Accredited vocational qualifications in childcare, early years, and supporting children and young people's development, including Early Years Practitioner, Early Years Educator, and SENCO qualifications. Targeted at adult learners and childcare practitioners.
• Hairdressing Courses Vocational hairdressing qualifications from Level 1 to Level 3, including Women's Hairdressing certificates and NVQ diplomas. Targeted at adult learners pursuing careers in hairdressing.
• Barbering Courses Barbering qualifications from Level 1 to Level 3, including certificates and NVQ diplomas in men's hairdressing. Targeted at adult learners pursuing careers in barbering.
• Beauty Courses Beauty therapy qualifications including body massage, lash treatments, waxing, facials, spray tanning, and makeup artistry courses. Targeted at adult learners pursuing careers in beauty.
• Nail Services Courses Nail technology qualifications including gel polish, nail extensions, manicure, and pedicure courses accredited by VTCT and Beauty Guild. Targeted at adult learners pursuing careers in nail services.
• Business Skills Courses Business administration qualifications from Level 2 to Level 4, including diplomas in business and administration. Targeted at adult learners and employer-sponsored staff.
• Management and Team Leading Courses Leadership and management qualifications including ILM Level 2 to Level 5 diplomas in Team Leading, Leadership, and Management. Targeted at adult learners and employers for staff development.
• Support Teaching and Learning Courses Teaching assistant qualifications from Level 2 to Level 4, including certificates and diplomas in supporting teaching and learning in schools. Targeted at school staff and aspiring teaching assistants.
• Assessor and Teaching Courses Teacher training and assessment qualifications including Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, and CAVA assessor qualifications. Targeted at aspiring teachers and assessors.
• Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Advanced apprenticeship for specialist teaching assistants, enabling progression beyond Level 3 teaching assistant qualifications. Targeted at young people and adult learners seeking advanced education-support careers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% learner satisfaction rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skills Launchpad PlymouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkills Launchpad Plymouth is a strategic partnership providing a one-stop-shop for skills, training, education, careers and jobs. It offers targeted support for young people aged 16-24 through the Youth Hub and supports those aged 25+ seeking work, facing redundancy or changing careers through the Adult Hub. Supported by Barclays Plymouth located at 140-146 Armada Way in the city centre. GHQ Training is part of this coordinated service delivery network.
• Schools across Devon and CornwallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGHQ Training works with Schools across Devon and Cornwall delivering training programmes to school staff. Contact for school partnerships is via [email protected]. This includes early years, teaching assistants, and continuing professional development.
• National Careers ServicecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Careers Service advisors attend GHQ centres to support learners with CV writing, career pathways, and job searching. Norman Blandford from National Careers Service meets learners on site at Plymouth. The service covers North West and South West of England.
• Vi SpringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVi Spring, a world-famous luxury bed manufacturer, invests in staff training through GHQ Training. Their management team including Neil Lancaster, Operations Manager, completed ILM Level 4 Management qualifications. Vi Spring researched cost/time saving initiatives through Project Management unit.
• Barclays PlymouthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBarclays Plymouth, located at 140-146 Armada Way, supports Skills Launchpad Plymouth which GHQ Training participates in as a skills and training provider.
• Livewell South WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGHQ Training supports the Work Fit programme by Livewell South West which encourages employers and employees to invest in workplace wellbeing. GHQ staff and students provide pampering treatments at wellbeing events.
• St Lukes Hospice PlymouthminorOthersGHQ Training provided beauty and hairdressing treatments for nurses at St Lukes Hospice Plymouth Nurses Support wellbeing day. Partnership for community outreach and student practical experience.
• Sunflower Centre PlymouthminorOthersGHQ Training hairdressing, beauty and nails team supported pampering days for traumatized, vulnerable women at the Sunflower Centre Plymouth.
• Cosgarne Hall for the Homeless St AustellminorOthersKaren Samuels and GHQ St Austell team support Cosgarne Hall offering free pampering treatments for homeless individuals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lifetime Training: Large UK vocational training provider offering apprenticeships and adult learning programmes across multiple sectors including health, childcare, and business. Comparable to GHQ as a UK adult vocational training competitor pursuing employer-funded and government-funded revenue streams.
• The Training Room: UK specialist in beauty, massage, and hairdressing vocational training. Direct comparable to GHQ's hair/beauty/nail course categories, competing for the same VTCT-accredited learner population.
• Babington Group: UK-based vocational training and apprenticeship provider delivering qualifications across business, care, education, and professional services. Direct comparable to GHQ in multi-vertical UK adult vocational training with government-funded streams and apprenticeship offerings.
• Learning Curve Group: UK vocational training group operating across education, training, and employability programmes including apprenticeships and adult learning. Comparable multi-vertical competitor with national footprint.
• Think Employment: UK adult learning and apprenticeship provider offering programmes in business, care, and education sectors. Direct comparable to GHQ in funded vocational training delivery to adult learners.
• Hopwood Hall College: UK further education college delivering vocational qualifications including hairdressing, beauty, and childcare. Regional FE-college peer competing with GHQ for the same Devon/Cornwall learner base and employer relationships.
• NLTG: UK vocational training provider delivering apprenticeships and adult learning across multiple sectors. Comparable to GHQ in pursuing government-funded streams and multi-vertical course portfolios.

Others

• VTCT: UK awarding body for vocational qualifications in hair, beauty, and wellbeing. Adjacent enabling peer — GHQ delivers VTCT-accredited qualifications, making VTCT a strategic ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.
• City & Guilds: UK awarding body offering vocational qualifications across multiple sectors. Ecosystem partner comparable through the qualifications framework that underpins much of UK vocational training, including programmes adjacent to GHQ's portfolio.

Regional players

• Plymouth College of Art: Specialist regional FE/HE provider in Plymouth delivering creative and vocational qualifications. Regional peer operating in the same Plymouth catchment as GHQ's headquarters, with overlapping hair and beauty provision.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ghqtraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/ghqtraining
• Instagraminstagram.com/ghqtraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ghq-training-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 GHQ TRAINING