Press Release, Monday 16th December 2024:
IBTC Limited t/a International Boatbuilding Training College
IBTC Limited (“the Company”) will close its doors with effect from 20 December and a meeting of members has been called for that day to place the Company into liquidation at which time the current student cohort will leave having been given the opportunity to complete a minimum of the joinery module City & Guilds qualification. All 11 staff will be made redundant by the Company that day and Hayley Watson and Andrew McTear of McTear Williams & Wood will be appointed as joint liquidators. It is expected that a sale of its assets will take place in the New Year.
The directors’ Lyn and Mike Tupper have been running the Company for the last nine years having acquired it for £1 from prior owners and have invested heavily in the business to support it in a difficult market due to less wooden boat building.
Over the years the Tuppers’ have tried every avenue to seek support from the businesses that still use the college’s unique skills. They had a rescue deal lined up until recently, but regrettably, with no prospect of increasing student numbers to turn the college back to profitability, have had to make the difficult decision to close. They are the largest creditor.
If you are interested in the Company’s business and assets please contact Kelly Goodman at McTear Williams & Wood Ltd by email at Kellygoodman@mw-w.com
Statement from Hannah Cunliffe, Director, National Historic Ships UK:
It was with huge sadness I learnt of the decision to close IBTC, an organisation with whom we have worked closely at NHS-UK for many years, primarily as one of our Shipshape Hubs and also as delivery partner on a number of training schemes. At a time when boat building has been listed as an endangered craft, it is of great concern that one of only two remaining specialist colleges in the UK has had to shut its doors. The loss of IBTC will be felt across the maritime heritage sector and I would like to extend my sympathy to staff and students at this difficult time.