DIGITAL learning firm Unicorn Training is on course to eclipse its record-breaking 2017 after recording its best ever figures in each of the first eight months of this year.

Last year the Bournemouth firm, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, posted record sales of £9.1 million.

And with 2018’s quarter one numbers up 35 per cent on the same period last year, Unicorn says it is on track to achieve sales of more than £11m for the first time.

CEO Peter Phillips said: "We’ve grown steadily over many years, but three years ago decided on a new high growth strategy.

"This involved more investment in our technology infrastructure, an enhanced marketing budget, and a couple of key acquisitions.

"We have also branched out from our core financial services market to win major clients in other regulated industries, while continuing to build on our unrivalled experience and expertise in that sector, supporting financial firms and organisations in addressing their many varied regulatory and people development challenges."

Back in August Mr Phillips warned the UK could lose out on his firm's growth if it leaves the EU without a deal.

"With it being more difficult to recruit people from the EU, it could turn out that we need an EU presence," he said. "That’s not to say that we would relocate numbers of people, it’s just that there’s less chance of growing the number of people here."

Unicorn was founded by Mr Phillips and his brother Andy in 1988, three years before the World Wide Web was introduced.

In the 30 years since, the company has evolved and grown as technology has advanced.

This has seen Unicorn shortlisted in the final three for the SCALEUP Award for Growth at the Dorset Business Awards, as well being among the Company of the Year finalists at the international Learning Technologies Awards, both of which take place next month.

Peter Phillips, who was AFC Bournemouth Chairman from 2002 to 2006, said: “Each of our main business streams – content development, platform services, off the shelf compliance solutions and games and simulations – achieved double digit growth in the last financial year, enabling us to expand our Bournemouth team.

"We’ve always been proud to be a Bournemouth company and we’re excited about being able to invest in local talent and play our part as the town grows as a vibrant creative digital hub."

This year has seen Unicorn build up a legal training division having acquired law training specialists Socrates last Winter.

They will be training firms to comply with The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

Unicorn has offices in the City of London and Brighton, but the company’s home is Bournemouth where over it now employs more than 100 staff.

Last month Unicorn moved its Bournemouth HQ to Telephone House in Christchurch Road.

Visit unicorntraining.com