Code Ninjas, the international coding franchise for kids, continues to expand across key areas of the UK, with the latest launches outside of the Greater London area. Following another summer of record enrolments for the brand’s coding and game-building camps, the support team and UK network are celebrating the news of one franchisee quickly responding to the increasing demand for kids coding education in their local area.
Best friends turned business partners Robin Theakston and Charlie Gunn successfully launched their High Wycombe location in February and, following a triumphant start, soon expanded to open in nearby Aylesbury. Following a busy summer season, the duo is now setting its sights on the future.
This expansion comes as an analysis from the Office for National Statistics reveals that the number of computer programmers in the UK has increased by 51% over the past decade1. However, the demand for coders is far outstripping the available talent within the job market. It creates lucrative opportunities for individuals like Robin and Charlie, who have been responding to this demand for coding education in their newly launched Aylesbury location. Before investing in Code Ninjas, Charlie spent much of his career working in finance, which, like most sectors over the last decade, has become more reliant on technology.
“It’s obvious that our kids’ lives will be hugely improved by understanding how coding works. The future is exciting, but our children need to be prepared. We want to help give children all the tools they need to succeed,” said Charlie.
Based within the Aylesbury campus of Buckinghamshire New University, the new studio is a parent-free zone and a hub for gamers and budding coders. “After establishing a solid presence in Buckinghamshire at our High Wycombe location, we couldn’t overlook the opportunity to bring our coding sessions to kids further afield. Whilst most business owners might wait 18-24 months before launching a second location, the business model that Code Ninjas provides means that we can expand far quicker than if we were to launch a business on our own,” said Charlie.
After a career in developing mathematics programmes in the US, Robin is driven by his shared passion with Code Ninjas for encouraging kids to become problem solvers.
“With their focus on instilling resilience, problem-solving and confidence in kids, Code Ninjas ticks all the boxes for me. We want to support children to feel confident in their own abilities and passions. As a dad-of-two, it’s something I feel particularly passionate about – it stands to reason that I’m so excited about our Aylesbury launch. After a busy summer of coding camps and regular sessions, it’s exciting to see an appetite for a third location in the future,” said Robin.
For Justin Nihiser, CEO of Code Ninjas, Robin and Charlie are shining examples of how Code Ninjas is trailblazers in coding education across the UK.
“It’s amazing to see how this dynamic duo are responding to the soaring demand for these services across Buckinghamshire. Charlie and Robin’s contributions to our continued expansion to places previously untouched and their joint passion for helping thousands of children with their confidence whilst sparking their love of coding is truly inspirational,” said Justin.
1 PLMR, 2021: National Coding Week: The UK Must Address Its Digital Technology Talent Shortage
