The Knowledge Academy

The Knowledge Academy Limited
Company typeLimited company
IndustryProfessional development
Founded2009
HeadquartersBerkshire, United Kingdom
Revenue£22.7m (2017)
£0.82m (2017)
OwnerDilshad and Barinder Hothi
Number of employees
187
Websitehttps://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/

The Knowledge Academy is a UK-based global training company. They provide IT, business management and project management training for individuals and organisations.[1][2]

History

The Knowledge Academy was formed in 2009 by husband and wife Dilshad and Barinder Hothi. The Knowledge Academy offers both classroom and online professional training courses.[3]

Founders

Dilshad Hothi originally grew up in India and came to the UK at aged 21 to complete his master's degree in marketing. He then joined a large training provider and was a director of Sales there for a number of years before starting The Knowledge Academy with his wife Barinder in 2009.[citation needed] Barinder also worked in Technology Sales, working for Microsoft and IBM.[4]

Daily Mirror investigation

In 2016 the Daily Mirror carried out an investigation into the company's practices. It revealed how The Knowledge Academy can, at its discretion, "change prices at any time", "cancel or reschedule any course" and swap their courses for a "Virtual Training" alternative.[5] They were also found to be re-selling a course run by a rival company, without their knowledge.[6]

References

  1. ^ Smith, Rebecca (2015-12-30). "Meet the married couple who built a £22m turnover education business". Management Today. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  2. ^ Hattie Williams (2015-04-19). "How I Made It: Barinder Hothi, founder of the Knowledge Academy". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  3. ^ "The millionaire couple who could teach you a thing or two". BBC News. 2015-10-26. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  4. ^ "My First Million — Barinder Hothi". The Financial Times. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  5. ^ Penman, Andrew (2016-02-18). "The Knowledge Academy quizzed over whether its classroom courses really exist". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  6. ^ Penman, Andrew (2016-03-17). "The Knowledge Academy: Trained in the art of calling a lawyer". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2016-11-03.