Northcote Equity has partnered with Aquila Learning (“Aquila”), an innovative provider of training management software serving the aerospace, defence and safety-critical sectors.
Founded in 2018 by former RAF Commissioned Officer Mark Radbourne, Aquila’s flagship platform, ALaRMS, brings together training needs analysis, design, delivery, records and assurance in one fully integrated system, built specifically for organisations with complex training needs in high-risk, highly regulated environments. The platform is now trusted by many of the largest names in global aerospace and defence, including the Ministry of Defence, and supports over 40,000 end users worldwide.
Northcote has invested in a minority equity position in close partnership with Mark Radbourne and the wider Aquila team. The investment will support further international expansion and help to broaden Aquila’s commercial reach, as prime contractors and defence forces globally look to modernise how they manage and assure training.
Scott Fairlie, Co-Founder at Northcote Equity, said: “Mark and the team have built something genuinely category-leading in Aquila. The ambition he has for the business, and the size of the opportunity in front of it, is what immediately drew us in. We’re thrilled to back Mark and the team as we collectively look to take Aquila through the next phase of growth.”
Mark Radbourne, CEO and Founder of Aquila Learning added: “Having been founders themselves, Scott, Charles, Matt and the Northcote team really understood the journey we’ve been on with Aquila. Their backing and experience across the software and A&D markets, will be invaluable in unlocking Aquila’s full global potential.”
The investment was led by Scott Fairlie (Co-founder), Charles Dale (Co-founder) and Frances Lausen (Investor). Scott Fairlie and Charles Dale will join the Board.