William Reed Business Media, the publisher of British Baker, has partnered with Virtual College, the leading provider of e-learning and online training, to offer a range of materials for the food industry.

With 150 years’ experience, William Reed Business Media has an expanding portfolio of websites, virtual events and data services which ensures global food industry customers continue to benefit from excellence in information provision. With over 1.6 million online learners, Virtual College is one of the UK’s leading developers of e-learning online, providing courses to individuals and companies across the world.

The new business entity will be known as Appetite Learning and will be the exclusive supplier of the existing Virtual College portfolio of courses to the food sector, as well as developing a range of new e-learning materials.

Charles Reed, group managing director of William Reed Business Media, said: “The creation of Appetite Learning represents a significant expansion in our digital solutions for the food industry. I’m very pleased to be partnering with an e learning business with Virtual College’s outstanding reputation and proven excellence in technology and content development.”

And, Rod Knox, chief executive of Virtual College, added: “William Reed is a perfect partner for Virtual College, with outstanding customer relationships across the food, drink and hotel markets. Our shared aspiration is for Appetite Learning, in partnership with Virtual College, to be the leading training provider for the sector.

“This is a really exciting development and is a fundamental part of a wider business growth strategy for the next three years.”