EducationInvestor Awards 2021 Book of the Night by investorpublishing

Schedule Drinks reception

18:30

Dinner & awards ceremony

19:30

Entertainment & bars

22:30

Carriages 01:00

SCHEDULE AND MENU Menu

Gold partner

Pan fried scallops Cornish crab meat and sweet corn succotash, Champagne beurre blanc and herb salad

Silver partner

Slow roasted beef fillet Braised oxtail praline, celeriac puree, braised onions

Award partners

Baked vanilla cheesecake Berry compote, carrub chocolate sauce

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Coffee and petits fours

Drinks’ reception partner

educationinvestor.co.uk

Contents Welcome from Investor Publishing

Guest speaker

Judges

Advisory & Finance Bank/Capital Provider

Consultant – Strategy

Consultant – to Deal-making

Financial Advisor

Investor 32 Legal Advisor – to Deal-making

Legal Advisor – to Education Institutions

Property Advisor

Education Provision Educational Publisher

Ed Tech Provider

Further Education/Vocational Education Provider

Higher Education Institution

Nursery Operator

Pathway Provider

Private School Operator

Private Tutoring Provider

Skills-training Provider

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Software & Services Education Software Provider

Recruitment Services

School-Improvement Provider

School Management Information System (MIS) Provider

Grands Prix Business Woman (Business Women in Education)

CONTENTS 95

Education Provider

100

Exporting Excellence

104

Market Entrant

108

Woman to Watch (Business Women in Education)

112

Gold partner

Silver partner

Award partners

group

Drinks’ reception partner

educationinvestor.co.uk

Introduction from Investor Publishing Welcome to the EducationInvestor Awards 2021! It is a privilege and a pleasure to once again be holding this sell-out event in person and to welcome you all to the Royal Lancaster Hotel. This past 20 months has been an enormously challenging period for everyone and the experience of being in the same room once again with our friends and colleagues is something worth celebrating! Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the education sector has faced enormous challenges but also demonstrated extraordinary resilience, innovation and imagination. We are therefore delighted to be here this evening to recognise the exceptional achievements of the organisations and individuals in this room. Covid-19 has placed significant pressure on all aspects of our society – but the burden it has placed on the education system has been profound. Educators, institutions, students and parents alike have had to adapt to unprecedented circumstances. One silver lining from the crisis has been the widespread adoption of technology and new ways of learning – and this is reflected across many of the finalists’ entries this evening. Indeed, the crop of 2021 finalists can all be very proud of the work they have done throughout the year and we wish them the best of luck when their category comes up. Thank you also to all our event partners for this evening. Events like the EducationInvestor Awards would not be possible without this support and it is hugely appreciated. We hope you have a great night and we look forward to seeing you again at other EducationInvestor Global events in 2022 – and good luck if you’re up for an award!

Vernon Baxter Managing director Investor Publishing

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Helen Lederer

GUEST SPEAKER Gold partner A comedy legend, a gay icon and a self-confessed lover of wine, comedienne, actress, broadcaster and writer Helen Lederer has been charming and disarming the British public with her unique brand of self depreciating and slyly subversive humour for more decades than she

Silver partner

cares to remember. A member of the 1980s London Comedy Store wave of emerging standups, she first tapped the public’s funnybone with her ‘sloaney-girl-at-thebar’ creation in the BBC comedy sketch show Naked Video. Then came

Award partners

Saturday Night Live, The Young Ones, French & Saunders and Bottom, before we all fell in love with Catriona, the menopausal magazine editor she played in six series of TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous – reprising the role in the 2016 film. A younger generation know her as Aunt Ruby from the Horrid Henry movie and from Celebrity Big Brother, where she

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was saved by the public vote three times and dubbed a ‘national treasure’. The comedy art of surviving the business as well as her own, welldocumented self-doubts, has always set her apart and inspired the critically acclaimed novel Losing It. Published in 2015 by Pan Macmillan and described by Stephen Fry as ‘desperately funny’, it was nominated for the PG Wodehouse Comedy Literary Prize. She has also written and presented BBC Radio 4’s Pick of the Week, as well as writing and starring in two Radio 4 comedies, All Change and Life with Lederer.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Drinks’ reception partner

Vipul Bhargava Founder and chief executive, Gilt Education

Lil BremermannRichard Group chief executive, Oxford International Education Group

Alan Diaz Former senior vice-president, Laureate International Universities

focused strategic advisory

Lil has more than 20 years

The former head of business

firm based in London helping

of leadership experience in

development for Europe, Asia,

companies solve their

the education sector and was

the Middle East and Africa,

international growth challenges,

appointed to her role at Oxford

Alan was with Laureate since

which has worked with some of

International Education Group

its inception in 1999 and saw

the fastest-growing companies

(OIEG) in January 2019, after

it evolve into a network of

across the globe. Vipul is also an

two successful years as the

200 campuses in 28 countries

advisor to the UK’s Department

group’s commercial director.

educating in excess of one

of International Trade and works

During her tenure, Lil has drawn

million students. He was

closely with the Department

on her vast experience, passion

involved in many of the landmark

for Education. He works with

for the subject and ability to

transactions that led to the

ministries of education across

give direction and motivate the

company’s growth, and in his

the world including on free

team to ensure the organisation

final two years with the company

trade agreements between UK

grows and thrives. Lil has driven

focused most of his attention

and other countries including

OIEG toward further success

on MENA and sub-Saharan

India. Vipul is also working on

since becoming chief executive,

Africa as the ‘final frontiers’ of

UK government’s strategy of

accountable for numerous

Laureate’s global footprint. Alan

how UK can better participate

initiatives that have supported

retired from Laureate at the end

in the ed tech sector in India.

organisational growth and

of 2017, but still consults with

Vipul also contributed to the

development, particularly during

the company.

UK government’s International

the Covid-19 crisis.

Gilt Education is an education-

Strategy and Education Technology Strategy release in 2019.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Julian Fisher Co-founder, Venture Education

Victoria Giles M&A director, Grant Thornton UK

Venture Education empowers

Victoria joined Grant Thornton in

British education in China.

2010 and supports the skills and

Julian has 16 years’ experience

training sector coverage nationally

working in education in China

for the firm. From 2016 to 2021,

including nearly a decade with

Victoria advised mid-market

Harrow Beijing and the British

skills and training companies and

Council. He is vice-chair of the

their shareholders on a range of

British Chamber of Commerce

corporate finance transactions

in China and chair of the

including M&A, company sales,

Chamber’s education forum.

management buyouts and

He is also a mentor for Durham

fundraisings. Some of the recent

University, former president of

deals she has advised on include

the China North Entrepreneurs’

the sale of Skills Training UK to

Organization and a strategic

Bridges Fund Management, the

advisor for the ed tech platform

sale of The People Development

Globiliti. He was formerly a

Team to Learning Technologies

judge for the British Business

Group, the sale of Cirrus Connect

Awards in China and EdVentures

to Accenture, and the sale of

Fellowship in Hong Kong.

Unicorn Training to Access Group.

JUDGES Gold partner

Silver partner

Award partners

group

Drinks’ reception partner

educationinvestor.co.uk

Aatif Hassan Founder and chairman, Dukes Education

Patrick Hayes Chief development officer, Times Higher Education

Alan Kelsey Trustee, The Prince’s Teaching Institute and Children and the Arts

schools group with more than

Patrick is responsible for Times

Over a working life of 52 years,

25 brands in the UK. Aatif is

Higher Education’s student-

Alan has been an investment

also the founder and chairman

facing division, THE Student,

banker and then joined one of

of Cavendish Education which

which engages millions of

his clients, National Express,

has 11 schools for pupils

prospective international

as the director responsible for

with unique learning profiles

students each year. He was

strategic growth and took it into

including dyslexia and autism.

formerly director of the

railways and buses in the US

Prior to his career in education,

British Educational Suppliers

as well as airports. He joined

Aatif spent 15 years in the City

Association, the industry body

Nord Anglia Education in 2003

investing in health and education

representing more than 400

as a non-executive director

companies. He serves a number

companies with a combined

and became chairman a year

of educational charities including

revenue of £2.4 billion and a

later. The company grew from

his own foundation. Aatif holds a

director of EdTech Exchange,

a market value of £30 million to

British Army officer commission,

the largest network of ed tech

$4.3 billion by the time he retired

which he uses to work with

founders in Europe. Patrick was

when it went private in 2017.

Army cadets.

previously business development

It now has 83 schools around

director at TES Global, a large

the world. In 2013 he became

network of teachers. He is a

chairman of Explore Learning

fellow of the Education Media

retiring at the end of 2020.

Dukes Education is a K12

Centre charity, having previously been its vice-chair.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Mariana Kou Chairperson and chief executive, CTEH Mariana started her career in

Ian Koxvold Head of education, strategy and corporate development, Supporting Education Group

JUDGES Gold partner

New York at Lehman Brothers and was previously head

Ian leads on strategy for

of China education and HK

Supporting Education

consumer research at CLSA,

Group, having previously led

where she was involved in 10

education consulting at PwC

education initial public offerings.

and Cairneagle Associates. He

In 2020, she published her first

splits his time between M&A,

book Investing in Dragons:

partnerships and supporting

Education Industry and Capital

the group’s organic growth and

Markets. She is board advisor

investment planning.

Silver partner

Award partners

to EdtechX and was appointed senator for China by the World Business Angels Investment Forum. She is a current student

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of the University of Southern California’s global executive doctor of education programme, and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Drinks’ reception partner

educationinvestor.co.uk

William Macpherson Chair, various

Laura Maddison Managing director, Raymond James

Laura McInerney Chief executive, Education Intelligence

Kaplan, William was chief

Laura is a managing director

Education Intelligence runs the

executive of QA from 2008 to

within the technology and

daily survey app Teacher Tapp.

2019 leading its growth from

services investment banking

As an education journalist for the

an enterprise value of around

team of Raymond James.

past decade, Laura was editor of

£30 million to more than £850

She has more than 17 years’

Schools Week and a columnist

million. He is currently chair of

experience and has advised on

for The Guardian. She also

Learning Curve Group, Improve

more than 60 transactions across

regularly features on BBC shows

International and a non-

the sector, with a particular

such as More or Less, Today and

executive director at Wilmington

focus on education technology.

PM. Laura started her career

and the London Film School. He

Laura joined Raymond James in

as a secondary school teacher

is chair of governors at Hatcham

2017 to establish its European

in London on the Teach First

College, an academy in New

presence as one of the founding

programme before becoming

Cross. He lives in Kent where

members of the London team.

a Fulbright scholar. She only

he has planted a vineyard and is

She was previously a director in

became a journalist after being

trying to make wine.

Deloitte’s UK technology, media,

taken to court by the Department

and telecom M&A advisory team,

for Education for asking to see

joining in 2014 from Ingenious

documents about free schools.

Corporate Finance, a specialist

(She won, eventually).

A past chief executive of FTC

media and technology-focused corporate finance boutique.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Brenda McLeish Chief executive, Learning Curve Group

Pam Mundy Executive director, Pam Mundy Associates

Learning Curve Group is one

Pam is currently consultant chief

of the UK’s largest training

academic officer for NEOM,

providers. Since joining the

the new city in Saudi Arabia.

company in 2008, Brenda

Other recent executive roles

has driven significant growth

include international posts as

within the business, which

consultant director of education

delivers an extensive range

for Dar Al Marefa Schools in

of educational services and

Dubai, chief academic officer

training programmes across

for Knightsbridge Schools

diverse industry sectors to

International and director

learners across the country. The

for quality assurance and

business has grown to having

professional development for

17 academies across the country

World Class Learning (now part

and more than 500 employees.

of the Nord Anglia Education

Brenda’s vision to ‘transform

Group) based in Houston.

lives through learning’ impacts

Pam holds positions on a

more than 200,000 learners

variety of UK and international

every year, many of whom

education boards and sits on

are those who are hard-to-

several international ministry of

reach, and not in employment,

education select committees and

education or training.

international educational research

JUDGES Gold partner

Silver partner

Award partners

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groups. She is a founding member of the EducationInvestor Global Business Women in Education network.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Drinks’ reception partner

Rajay Naik Chief executive, Skilled Education

Kate Shand Founder, Enjoy Education

Rob Simpson Partner, Apiary Capital

Rajay was formerly global chief

Kate founded Enjoy Education

mid-market private equity

commercial officer at Study

with the belief that education

firm focused on investing in

Group and the founder and chief

has the power to transform

the education, healthcare,

executive of Keypath Education.

lives, enabling happy, confident

technology and business

From 2010 until 2015, he was

lifelong learners. Supporting

services sectors. Founded by a

director of The Open University

learners from primary school

group of experienced investors

where he helped launch the

to university and beyond, her

who came together in 2017,

FutureLearn massive open

company provides schools

Apiary closed its first fund in July

online course platform. He was

advice, private tuition and home

2018 at £200 million. Rob is a

a member of the Independent

schooling and has helped more

founding partner and leads the

Review of Higher Education

than 5,000 families across the

firm’s deal origination activities

Funding and Student Finance,

globe since 2006. Kate is a

and investment initiatives in

a board member of Coventry

founding member of the Tutors’

the education sector. Apiary

City Football Club, and chairman

Association and joined Prime

backed the management buyout

of the Big Lottery Fund. Rajay

Minister David Cameron on a

of Bertram Nursery Group in

is a non-executive director of

trade delegation to China in

February 2019 and provided

UBS’s investment board and of

2013 to promote UK education

a growth capital investment

Pay.UK. He is also chairman of

abroad. She has won a number

to creative industries-focused

the UK Commission on Lifelong

of awards for her ongoing work

further education group

Learning, and a governor of the

in education.

Access Creative College in

Apiary Capital is a lower

Ditchley Foundation.

March last year.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Edward Wild Managing director, Wild Search

Caroline Wright Director general, British Educational Suppliers Association

Edward has advised education businesses, investors and

The British Educational

institutions for more than a

Suppliers Association is the UK’s

decade, most recently at Wild

national industry association

Search, an executive search

for educational products and

and advisory business which he

services representing more than

has led since 2010. He has also

400 companies covering all

edited and published a range of

aspects of education resources.

reports on education governance

Caroline joined the organisation

and British schools abroad. He

in 2012, becoming director

has chaired and taken part in

general in 2016 and represents

a number of EducationInvestor

it on a range of government

summits. An experienced

and sector advisory boards

charity trustee and founder, he

including the Department for

entered executive search in 2004

International Trade’s Education

after teaching in four leading

Sector Advisory Group. She

independent schools, culminating

has held a number of positions

in his appointment as the first

sharing insights and expertise

ever development director of

on the UK education suppliers

Hampton School.

sector including co-chair of

JUDGES Gold partner

Silver partner

Award partners

group

the Department for Education EdTech Leadership Group and the Worlddidac Council. She is a trustee of the Education Media Centre and a school governor.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Drinks’ reception partner

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Barclays

HSBC UK Bank

NatWest

Barclays is a British universal

Headed up by Ian Robinson,

NatWest Group is a large

bank supporting consumers

HSBC UK’s public sector and

banking organisation with a

and small businesses through

education team supports the

strategy to deliver on its purpose

its retail banking services, and

education sector globally. As

and drive sustainable returns

larger businesses and institutions

a global relationship bank

to shareholders through four

through its corporate and

its aim is to open a world of

strategic priorities which are:

investment banking services.

opportunity and develop long-

supporting customers at every

Barclays’ national network of

lasting strategic relationships

stage of their lives, partnerships

education experts bank and fund

with clients to understand

and innovation, sharpened

early years educators through to

their ambitions and support

capital allocation, and being

research spin-outs. Barclays also

multiple aspects of their strategy.

simple to deal with. Its purpose is

boosts employability, enterprise,

Through sector specialism and

to champion potential so that the

financial and digital literacy and

thought leadership HSBC aims

people, businesses and families

environmental sustainability.

to add value to clients beyond

it serves can rebuild and survive

Across the UK Barclays delivers

traditional financing support to

which involves working together,

outstanding student experience

ensure they are well placed to

doing the right thing, serving

and outcomes.

thrive, with a particular focus

customers, and thinking long-

on their students, estates,

term. NatWest has supported

sustainability and transition

the UK education sector for more

to net zero. HSBC supports

than 100 years.

institutions with a number of financial solutions.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

OakNorth Bank OakNorth Bank provides fast, flexible and accessible debt finance to the UK’s missing middle. To date, it has lent several billion pounds to

ADVISORY & FINANCE

businesses, directly helping with the creation of tens of thousands of new homes and jobs across the UK. It has borrowers across

Bank/Capital Provider

a variety of sectors, including: healthcare (nursing homes and retirement villages), consumer goods, vehicle and parts manufacturing, capital goods manufacturing, household

Barclays HSBC UK Bank

professional services (including

NatWest

educational services), nurseries,

OakNorth Bank

business support services, hospitality and recreation (including hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars, fast food outlets and limited service restaurants), SME residential and commercial property development and investment.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Cairneagle Associates

Colliers MENA Region

For the past 20 years Cairneagle

Colliers International is a

has been working with

commercial real estate services

institutions to create value and

firm with more than 16,000

has played a role in shaping a

professionals operating out of

sector that impacts all aspects of

more than 554 offices in 66

society and lives. It has achieved

countries. Colliers International

much in that time across the UK

delivers a full range of services

and globally. Cairneagle is an

worldwide that include

independent consulting practice

valuations, consulting, appraisals,

that is focused on the education

brokerage, asset management,

space. It is expert in what it

project management and

does and continues to be in high

research, within the residential,

demand by long-term and new

commercial, retail, hospitality,

clients. It is recognised across

healthcare, education,

the industry from early years to

infrastructure sector, public-

lifelong learning in the classroom

private partnership and economic

and online. 2021 is its 20th

and industrial free zones. In

anniversary year as a firm and

MENA, Colliers International

throughout this time, it has been

has provided leading advisory

at the forefront of independent,

services through its regional

data driven insight and has

offices located in Dubai, Abu

grown to be a trusted advisor to

Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah and Cairo

its clients across the whole of the

since 1996. Colliers International

education sector which comes

has a dedicated education

back to it time and time again.

advisory and valuation service

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Consultant – Strategy

Cairneagle Associates Colliers MENA Region EY-Parthenon MTM Consulting PwC Education Strategy Venture Education

line for the MENA region.

educationinvestor.co.uk

EY-Parthenon

MTM Consulting

PwC Education Strategy

EY-Parthenon is a strategy

MTM provides the real-world

advisor to the global education

information and insight on

The PwC Education Strategy

industry and is the largest

which the leaders of state

practice is a provider of strategy

education practice globally,

and independent schools and

and deal advisory services to

having completed more than

groups, higher education and

private equity investors and

2000 strategic education

nursery providers can confidently

education businesses globally.

projects across 95-plus countries

base the big decisions that will

Its expertise spans all sub-

in the past 10 years. Globally it

determine their schools’ future

segments of education, with

completes nearly one project a

success. It has three decades

a particular focus on schools,

day in the sector and last year

of experience as a trusted

higher and further education,

completed more than

market research and strategy

services and ed tech sold into

60 engagements across

consultancy to the UK education

education providers, as well

Europe alone.

sector and has worked with

as corporate e-learning and

more than 500 organisations

assessments. It draws on

and 250,000 parents. Its expert

cross-functional expertise from

quantitative and qualitative

across PwC to solve clients’

market researchers find out the

toughest challenges whether

facts about an organisation’s

strategic issues, commercial due

market positioning and pinpoint

diligence questions or business

areas for potential further

transformations at scale.

development that will lead to improved recruitment, retention and profile-raising.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Venture Education Venture’s research and consultancy team is a mixture of former teachers, university lecturers, education professionals, research analysts

ADVISORY & FINANCE

and project leaders from the UK and China. It is diverse but shares a common passion for supporting high-quality

Consultant – Strategy

education. It is independent but its empathetic approach means it always keeps its partners’ interests central to its work. It is clear, honest and direct and puts its characteristic enthusiasm into

Cairneagle Associates Colliers MENA Region

every project, big or small. Most

EY-Parthenon

importantly, it lives and breathes

MTM Consulting

education and will always care about the outcome, because in education, great outcomes mean

PwC Education Strategy Venture Education

a better future for everyone.

educationinvestor.co.uk

We are delighted to finally be socialising with friends and colleagues again. We hope everyone has a great evening.

VWV is an award-winning law firm, providing specialist support for those operating and investing in the UK education sector | vwv.co.uk

Cairneagle Associates

CIL Management Consultants

For the past 20 years Cairneagle has been working with

CIL is a commercial due diligence

institutions to create value and

provider in the UK, continental

has played a role in shaping a

Europe and North America.

sector that impacts all aspects of

Over the past 12 months, it has

society and lives. It has achieved

advised on 210 due diligence

much in that time across the UK

engagements across both

and globally. Cairneagle is an

buy- and sell-side. This level

independent consulting practice

of scale, while remaining a

that is focused on the education

dedicated due diligence provider,

space. It is expert in what it

affords it a unique position. It

does and continues to be in high

is big enough to display deep

demand by long-term and new

knowledge in a broad range of

clients. It is recognised across

niche specialisms, and small

the industry from early years to

enough to know that strong

CIL Management Consultants

lifelong learning in the classroom

client relationships generate

Colliers MENA Region

and online. 2021 is its 20th

deeper insights. It provides

anniversary year as a firm and

true cross-sector collaboration

EY-Parthenon

throughout this time, it has been

across nine dedicated sector

at the forefront of independent,

practices, which allows it to ask

data driven insight and has

the right questions, challenging

grown to be a trusted advisor to

preconceived ideas and

its clients across the whole of the

providing actionable, evidence-

education sector which comes

based insight.

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Consultant – to Deal-making

Cairneagle Associates

LoEstro Advisors PwC Education Strategy

back to it time and time again.

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

Colliers MENA Region

EY-Parthenon

LoEstro Advisors

Colliers International is a

EY-Parthenon is a strategy

Leveraging its 10-plus years of

commercial real estate services

advisor to the global education

experience in pre-schools, K12,

firm with more than 16,000

industry and is the largest

higher education and ed tech,

professionals operating out of

education practice globally,

LoEstro Advisors offers a suite

more than 554 offices in 66

having completed more than

of services across fundraising,

countries. Colliers International

2000 strategic education

M&A advisory and strategic

delivers a full range of services

projects across 95-plus countries

consulting. For its fundraising

worldwide that include

in the past 10 years. Globally it

clients, it chooses to become

valuations, consulting, appraisals,

completes nearly one project a

partners in their journey from

brokerage, asset management,

day in the sector and last year

day one, if possible, and help

project management and

completed more than

them onboard the best suitable

research, within the residential,

60 engagements across

investor for their short-term and

commercial, retail, hospitality,

Europe alone.

long-term goals, allowing them

healthcare, education,

to choose between the array of

infrastructure sector, public-

debt and equity investors across

private partnership and economic

the globe. Due to its dedicated

and industrial free zones. In

focus on the education sector,

MENA, Colliers International

LoEstro Advisors has advised

has provided leading advisory

more than 50 clients in its short

services through its regional

journey of two years so far.

offices located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah and Cairo since 1996. Colliers International has a dedicated education advisory and valuation service line for the MENA region.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

PwC Education Strategy The PwC Education Strategy practice is a provider of strategy and deal advisory services to private equity investors and

ADVISORY & FINANCE

education businesses globally. Its expertise spans all subsegments of education, with a particular focus on schools, higher and further education,

Consultant – to Deal-making

services and ed tech sold into education providers, as well as corporate e-learning and assessments. It draws on cross-functional expertise from across PwC to solve clients’ toughest challenges whether strategic issues, commercial due diligence questions or business transformations at scale.

Cairneagle Associates CIL Management Consultants Colliers MENA Region EY-Parthenon LoEstro Advisors PwC Education Strategy

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

Best in class. One team, many specialists. Clyde & Co has a leading, diverse, global education practice comprising specialist lawyers from a range of legal disciplines including corporate, commercial, regulatory, dispute resolution, procurement, employment, intellectual property, technology, construction and real estate. We provide commercial, pragmatic and innovative advice to education sector clients on all aspects of their business. Our depth of understanding of the education sector means that we understand our clients’ operating environment and commercial needs, and is a direct result of a long standing track record of advising clients in this sector. From our 50+ offices, we serve our education clients worldwide.

www.clydeco.com

Clearwater International

DC Advisory

Clearwater International is a

DC Advisory is an international

corporate finance house with a

investment bank committed to

proven track record of excellent

making a difference. As part of

client outcomes – more than

an established global business it

95% of clients would have no

offers access to more than 500

hesitation in recommending the

professionals in 21 locations

business. With 18 offices around

throughout Asia, Europe and

the world, the company’s 250-

the US. With a dedicated global

plus experienced professionals

education team, it offers tailored,

have been responsible for the

independent advice on M&A with

completion of more than 1,930

support from debt raisings and

deals worth in excess of €101

restructurings, private capital

billion. Clearwater International’s

and access to Asia investment

dedicated business services

knowledge.

team has completed 287 transactions with a combined value of around €9.5 billion. The team is currently working on several projects in the ed tech, training, specialist colleges

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Financial Advisor

Clearwater International DC Advisory EY Education and Training M&A Grant Thornton UK Houlihan Lokey Lincoln International

and schools and education software sectors.

educationinvestor.co.uk

EY Education and Training M&A

Grant Thornton UK

Houlihan Lokey

Grant Thornton UK is a

Houlihan Lokey is an

EY Corporate Finance is a major

professional business adviser

independent global investment

UK M&A advisor with offices

that helps businesses achieve

bank with expertise in mergers

across the UK, led from EY’s

their strategic ambitions,

and acquisitions, capital markets,

UK headquarters in London

supports the public sector to

financial restructuring, valuation,

Bridge. EY comprises more than

build thriving communities

and strategic consulting. The

100 bankers focused across

and works with regulators and

firm serves corporations,

10 core sectors and is an M&A

financial institutions to build

institutions, investors and

advisor in Europe. EY has a

trust and integrity in markets. It

governments worldwide with

dedicated specialist education

offers audit, tax and specialist

offices in the US, Europe, the

and training M&A practice

advisory services to privately

Middle East and the Asia-Pacific

covering all key verticals. During

held businesses, public interest

region. Specifically in education,

the current year EY has closed

entities and individuals. Its

Houlihan Lokey has been one

transactions in, or is currently

service lines include audit

of the most active financial

selling businesses in, early

and assurance, business risk

advisors over the past five years

years, K12, further education,

services, corporate finance,

with 14 successfully completed

higher education, vocational and

financial services advisor,

education transactions in the

apprenticeships, and corporate

forensic and investigation

past 12 months alone.

and workplace learning.

services, information technology, leadership and culture, performance improvement; public sector, recovery and reorganisation, and Tax. It is led by 183 partners and 4,800 people operating from 27 UK offices, supporting more than 20,000 clients.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Lincoln International Lincoln International is a midmarket investment bank with 625-plus professionals advising on transactions across more than 20 offices globally. Its

ADVISORY & FINANCE

business services group consists of more than 40 dedicated bankers globally, completing seven education-based M&A

Financial Advisor

deals in the past year across the US and Europe. These transactions, many of which were cross-border, demonstrate the integrated approach its industry experts provide from across Lincoln’s global platform – a platform which ensures its bankers are positioned to provide the best possible outcome for clients, both strategic and private

Clearwater International DC Advisory EY Education and Training M&A Grant Thornton UK Houlihan Lokey Lincoln International

equity alike, across sell-side and buy-side mandates through global access to buyers/investors.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Bowmark Capital

KKR

Oakley Capital

Bowmark is a mid-market

KKR is a global investment

Oakley Capital is a mid-market

private equity investment firm

firm that offers alternative

European private equity firm with

specialising in UK growth

asset management and

an entrepreneurial approach,

companies valued at up to £250

capital markets and insurance

underpinned by the firm’s

million. It helps enterprising

solutions. KKR aims to generate

heritage. Oakley focuses on

managers build exceptional

attractive investment returns

companies which are owned

businesses and invest in UK

by following a patient and

by founders or entrepreneurial

services companies with the

disciplined investment approach,

managers, as well as complex

potential for significant organic

employing world-class people

carve outs. The long-term

and investment-led expansion.

and supporting growth in

relationships that Oakley builds

its portfolio companies and

help to cultivate a pipeline of

communities. KKR partners

interesting opportunities, that are

with management to turn local

not always accessible through

businesses into regional and

traditional routes. Oakley has

international champions. It

made education a central part

adopts a partnership approach

of its investment strategy.

with the founders, entrepreneurs,

Having deployed over a third of

families and corporates it invests

Oakley’s 2017 vintage Fund III

alongside globally, spanning

in the education sector, Oakley

investment strategies, sectors

has continued this level of

and geographies. KKR combines

focus on education in its fourth

deep local on-the-ground

fund, having made investments

presence, cultural and sector

worth more than €400 million in

knowledge, with access to a

enterprise value.

global network and resources via the KKR platform.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Investor

Bowmark Capital KKR Oakley Capital

NMT provides directors, owners and managers with a comprehensive series of challenging and informative articles which find practical solutions for the challenges they face every day in their nurseries.

nmt-magazine.co.uk Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

EducationInvestor Global is a market-leading intelligence resource for investors, operators, lenders and advisors focused on the global business of education and training. As a subscriber you will receive: • Unrestricted access to EducationInvestor Global online from desktop, mobile and tablet devices • Breaking news email alerts and bespoke newsletters annotated by the editor providing crucial context and commentary surrounding market-moving stories • Exclusive access to Fund Focus, a database of vital market intelligence from leading funds in the sector • A weekly round-up of the latest news, features and events delivered direct to your inbox ahead of non-subscribers • Access to the sector-famous Deal Archive, a one-stop trove of information on transactions dating back more than a decade, complete with valuations and advisor details • Market analysis, business intelligence, thought-leadership and research.

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Clyde & Co

Eversheds Sutherland (International)

Clyde & Co is a dynamic, rapidly expanding global law firm

Eversheds Sutherland is one of

focused on providing a complete

the world’s largest international

legal service to clients in its core

law firms, with offices across

sectors. It provides an integrated

35 countries, including most EU

service to its education

countries, the US, the Gulf and

institution clients which are

Asia. It has a dedicated team

increasingly working globally.

of lawyers exclusively serving

Its diverse, global education

public and private education

practice comprises specialist

clients, funders and investors. It

lawyers from a range of legal

has acted on the set up of every

disciplines across the firm,

private sector university and last

including corporate, commercial,

year acted for more than half of

regulatory, procurement,

UK universities. It is the principal

dispute resolution, employment,

provider of international work

pensions, intellectual property,

for UK institutions and overseas

technology, construction, projects

institutions wishing to operate

and real estate. It provides

in the UK.

commercial, pragmatic and innovative advice to education clients on all aspects of their

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Legal Advisor – to Deal-making

Clyde & Co Eversheds Sutherland (International) Harrison Clark Rickerbys Mills & Reeve Pinsent Masons VWV

business. It understands clients’ operating environment, the pressures created by Covid-19, and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Mills & Reeve

Pinsent Masons

Mills & Reeve’s corporate and

Pinsent Masons is a full-

Harrison Clark Rickerbys’

finance teams work closely with

service law firm offering a

20-strong deal team helps

its education sector specialists to

global advisory service. It is

schools and leading independent

ensure it delivers truly sector-

a key advisor to more than

UK school groups achieve

focused advice to institutions,

70 universities and education

their strategic objectives. It

operators and investors across

providers and has a team of

has helped schools sell, merge

the education spectrum on

more than 150 lawyers based in

and restructure, and expand

their deal-making strategies

offices across Europe, the Middle

by acquisition, collaboration

and activities. At the heart of

East and Asia-Pacific who have

and partnership, at home and

its practice is a commitment

a wealth of sector expertise.

abroad. It creates, structure

to its clients and its people.

It has advised on a range of

and complete deals which help

It is recognised as a Tier 1

landmark deals during the past

schools survive and thrive. It is

national adviser by both legal

year. The breadth and nature of

its clients’ eyes and ears and

directories and has been named

its mandates shows that it has

its entrepreneurial approach

a ‘The Sunday Times best 100

go-to lawyers in the education

matches schools with investors

companies to work for’, for a

sector for all parties. It knows

in the UK and beyond. It helps

record 18 years.

from feedback that its presence

schools successfully harness

on a transaction provides

international investment and/or

confidence even to the parties it

collaboration opportunities. Its

acts opposite.

clients tell the firm it is top of its game, connected, collaborative and easy to work with.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

VWV VWV is a full-service law firm, nationally recognised for its specialist experience and expertise in the education sector. In total it has more than

ADVISORY & FINANCE

1,000 education sector clients (including 700 independent schools, 300 maintained schools and academies, including more than 30 multi-academy trusts,

Legal Advisor – to Deal-making

and over 40 further education and higher education institutions, as well as sector organisations such as Research Councils UK, JISC, UCAS, London Universities Purchasing Consortium, Crescent Purchasing Consortium, Universities UK, NUS and National Association of Disability Officers). Its practice spans the whole education sector – it

Clyde & Co Eversheds Sutherland (International) Harrison Clark Rickerbys Mills & Reeve Pinsent Masons VWV

acts for early years providers, schools, academies, further education colleges, universities and alternative higher education providers nationwide.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Browne Jacobson

Clyde & Co

Eversheds Sutherland (International)

Browne Jacobson provides

Clyde & Co is a dynamic, rapidly

legal and HR services for

expanding global law firm

Eversheds Sutherland is one of

education organisations. It

focused on providing a complete

the world’s largest international

has a genuine, long-standing

legal service to clients in its core

law firms, with offices across

pedigree as a trusted advisor

sectors. It provides an integrated

35 countries, including most EU

to the education sector and its

service to its education

countries, the US, the Gulf and

people are dedicated specialist

institution clients which are

Asia. It has a dedicated team

lawyers and HR consultants

increasingly working globally.

of lawyers exclusively serving

who are passionate about

Its diverse, global education

public and private education

education. It has an extensive

practice comprises specialist

clients, funders and investors. It

client base and supports more

lawyers from a range of legal

has acted on the set up of every

than 1,300 education clients

disciplines across the firm,

private sector university and last

every year who benefit from

including corporate, commercial,

year acted for more than half of

proactive, commercial and

regulatory, procurement,

UK universities. It is the principal

pragmatic support in relation to

dispute resolution, employment,

provider of international work

all their strategic and operational

pensions, intellectual property,

for UK institutions and overseas

activities and decision-making.

technology, construction, projects

institutions wishing to operate

The powerful combination of

and real estate. It provides

in the UK.

its expertise, experience, values

commercial, pragmatic and

and personality has established

innovative advice to education

Browne Jacobson as a ‘go-to’

clients on all aspects of their

legal team in education.

business. It understands clients’ operating environment, the pressures created by Covid-19, and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Mills & Reeve Mills & Reeve has one of the

For more than 50 years,

largest teams of specialist

Harrison Clark Rickerbys has

education lawyers in the

had a significant presence in

UK and is committed to its

the education sector and has

institutional clients and its

gained a national reputation

people. It is recognised as a

as a key player in the field of

Tier 1 national adviser by both

education law. Its work covers

legal directories and has been

the full spectrum of legal

named a ‘The Sunday Times

affairs that affect educational

best 100 companies to work

institutions – it helps with

for’, for a record 18 years. Its

operational issues and fulfilling

multidisciplinary education team

longer-term strategic objectives,

advises institutions across the

and is trusted with high-profile

whole education spectrum, from

and sensitive matters. It is

K12 to higher education, on all

Clyde & Co

known for its ability to help

aspects of their existence, both

schools successfully harness

domestically and internationally

Eversheds Sutherland (International)

international investment and/or

through partner firms across

collaboration opportunities. Its

the globe.

clients say it is top of its game, connected, collaborative and easy to work with.

educationinvestor.co.uk

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Legal Advisor – to Education Institutions

Browne Jacobson

Harrison Clark Rickerbys Mills & Reeve Pinsent Masons VWV

Pinsent Masons

VWV

Pinsent Masons’ education

VWV is a full-service law firm,

team includes more than 150

recognised for its experience

lawyers based in offices in the

and expertise in the education

UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific and

sector, with its experience and

the Middle East providing a

reputation being built over a

full service offering. It advises

30-year period. It has more than

70-plus universities and private

1,000 education sector clients

education providers in the UK

(including 700 independent

and internationally. Its education

schools, 300 maintained schools

team has track records of

and academies, including more

providing bold and innovative

than 30 multi-academy trusts,

solutions to a wide range

and over 50 further education

of complex and challenging

and higher education institutions,

regulatory, contractual and

as well as sector organisations

procedural issues and disputes.

such as Research Councils UK,

Its clients trust it on their most

JISC, UCAS, London Universities

significant projects because it

Purchasing Consortium,

innovates and thinks beyond

Crescent Purchasing Consortium,

conventions. They say Pinsent

Universities UK, NUS and

Masons is ‘exceptionally

National Association of Disability

responsive and proactive’.

Officers). It acts for early years providers, schools, academies, further education colleges, universities and alternative higher education providers, and training/ apprenticeship businesses.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

HealthInvestor UK Essential reading for the business of healthcare

ADVISORY & FINANCE

Legal Advisor – to Education Institutions

Browne Jacobson Clyde & Co Eversheds Sutherland (International) Harrison Clark Rickerbys Mills & Reeve

HealthInvestor UK

Pinsent Masons

is the leading news source

VWV

for investors, operators, lenders and advisors focused on the UK health and social care sector. healthinvestor.co.uk/subscribe

educationinvestor.co.uk

Aitchison Raffety

Barker Associates

Gerald Eve

Aitchison Raffety’s education

Barker is a multidisciplinary

Gerald Eve has a large dedicated

division is recognised as a

property consultancy which

education team, with 25

specialist in the education

has provided expert advice

experts with more than 150

property sector, advising a

for more than 30 years to the

years’ experience in advising

range of independent schools,

education sector. As a RIBA

the UK’s top educational

academies, free schools, colleges,

and RICS chartered practice,

establishments on many of

universities, day nurseries, local

with over 70 full-time staff that

the largest transactions. It

authorities and developers

range from chartered architects

has provided agency advice,

across the country for almost

and surveyors right through to

high-level strategy advice,

20 years. It understands the

educational and environmental

forensic due diligence when

business of educational property

consultants, Barker has built

clients are looking to expand

and is involved on a day-to-day

a reputation for quality and

or contract, valuation advice to

basis with schools, providing

knowledge within the industry.

lenders to support funding for

the advice needed to help make

Its aim as an integrated property

developments or acquisitions,

existing space smarter to avoid

consultancy is to design and

and advice on business rates

expensive developments, or

create inspiring, sustainable

savings and day-to-day advice

helping to save money.

spaces where people can learn,

on how to manage and maintain

work and play. Its goal is to

educational buildings.

innovate and embrace new developments to provide the best educational opportunities for pupils around the UK.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Savills Savills is a global real estate services provider listed on the London Stock Exchange FTSE 250 index. Founded in 1855 and headquartered in London,

ADVISORY & FINANCE

the company has a market capitalisation in excess of £2 billion. The education sector is vitally important and Savills

Property Advisor

Education advises leading stakeholders in all areas of the sector, from day nurseries to special educational needs schools, colleges, universities, life sciences

Aitchison Raffety

businesses, and investors into

Barker Associates

the UK purpose-built student

Gerald Eve

accommodation sector. Savills

Savills

has been The Times Graduate Employer of Choice for 14 years in a row, since the award’s inception in 2007.

educationinvestor.co.uk

EDUCATION PROVISION

Edplace

Fiction Express Education

EdPlace is a growing online

Talk Education Talk Education is a dynamic

learning platform designed to

Fiction Express Education is

digital guide to the world’s

help students achieve academic

a social and global ed tech

best independent schools, a

success. It offers fully interactive

company headquartered in

parent advisory service, an

English, maths, science and

London and Barcelona. Fiction

educational events company,

eleven-plus resources from Year

Express strives to have a

and a schools advisory service.

1 to GCSE which are written by

profound impact on the teaching

From 2009 to 2018, the team

qualified teachers and mapped

and learning of language

researched, wrote and edited a

to either exam boards or the

and literacy skills in both the

print guide to UK independent

national curriculum of study. It

English and Spanish languages

schools. It left in 2018 to start

is passionate about making a

by building a global reading

its own business and launched

difference. Since 2012 it has

platform where pupils and

its website in September

helped more than 100,000 pupils

renowned authors co-create

last year. Talk Education

and is on a mission to help over

stories children love to read.

is a ‘one-stop-education-

a million by the end of 2022. It

Behind Fiction Express is a team

shop’, providing unbiased

says it may be small in number

of more than 25 international

information and guidance

but is insistent on making a

professionals and experts in

on the world of independent

mighty difference.

publishing and technology, co-

education, dispelling myths and

led by founders Sven Huber and

demystifying processes. For

Cristina Puig, who also started

schools, Talk Education is a new

the Re.school initiative to drive

tool in their marketing armoury,

innovation in schools as a result

a focused, quantifiable resource

of the Covid-19 pandemic.

to help them reach their target market in challenging times.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

The Career Portal The Career Portal’s brands, The Medic Portal and The Lawyer Portal, are providers of online educational content for aspiring medics and lawyers.

EDUCATION PROVISION

Their websites provide valuable guidance to millions of users and are endorsed by the top professional bodies. The Career

Educational Publisher

Portal also owns examfit, an exciting ed tech platform that allows students to self-mark maths papers to exam standard, see an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, and generate bespoke tests tailored to them at the click of a button.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Edplace Fiction Express Education Talk Education The Career Portal

Bud Systems

Crimson Education

Discovery Education International

Bud is an apprenticeship

Crimson Education was founded

management platform,

to level the global playing field

Discovery Education is the

developed by Bud Systems

for students, starting with paving

ed tech business launched

which is pioneering the use of

pathways to help them gain

by Discovery Inc and now

technology to transform the

acceptance into top-ranked

majority owned by private

way in which apprenticeships

universities, so that they can

equity firm Francisco Partners.

are delivered. Bud is used

develop into visionary leaders

As a digital-first business, the

by companies that deliver

of tomorrow. Today, Crimson is

company is seen as one of the

apprenticeship and work-based

a US/UK university admissions

most innovative companies

training. Its senior leadership

support consultancy, with

in its sector. In the past year,

team consists of co-founders

its students up to four-times

Discovery Education international

Heather Frankham and David

more likely to gain acceptance

has achieved 20% growth, 13%

Foster, sales director Jesse

to the Ivy League, Oxford,

of which was year-on-year. It has

Johnson, customer success

Cambridge and other institutions.

achieved this by building strong

director Brad Tombling, head

Its services are based on its

channel partnerships in countries

of finance Sarah Denley, and

belief that students deserve

as diverse as Chile and Brazil

chief technology officer Mark

individualised support in every

in Latin America, Egypt and

McGrath. Bud is led by experts in

aspect of their application, from

Saudi Arabia in the Middle East,

each area of the business. It has

university selection strategy, test

and China and India in Asia,

combined in-depth knowledge of

prep and personal statement/

among others.

the training industry

essay support, to extracurricular

with the brightest minds in

mentoring and interview

software development to create

practice.

Bud Systems.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Edplace

National Education Group

EdPlace is a growing online learning platform designed to

National Education Group is a

help students achieve academic

private limited company which

success. It offers fully interactive

specialises in the provision

English, maths, science and

of remote video continuing

eleven-plus resources from Year

professional development to

1 to GCSE which are written by

the whole school community

qualified teachers and mapped

in the UK and overseas. Its

to either exam boards or the

mission is to empower schools

national curriculum of study. It

to drive up standards, and its

is passionate about making a

vision is to be integral to every

difference. Since 2012 it has

school improvement plan. Its

helped more than 100,000 pupils

offer to schools combines three

and is on a mission to help over

comprehensive continuing

a million by the end of 2022. It

professional development

Crimson Education

says it may be small in number

programmes written and

Discovery Education International

but is insistent on making a

presented by experts: National

mighty difference.

Online Safety, The National College, and Essential CPD, all delivered via a state-of-

EDUCATION PROVISION

Ed Tech Provider

Bud Systems

Edplace National Education Group Paideia

the-art platform which offers

Prodigy Learning

full continuing professional

Skilled Education

development management. It offers schools a complete continuing professional

Sparx Learning THE Student

development solution.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Paideia

Prodigy Learning

Skilled Education

Paideia is a new digital learning

Prodigy Learning is a global

Skilled Education has taken

platform using innovative

ed tech business providing

the UK sector by storm in

software and expert educators

innovative online platforms that

2020/2021. The business has

to prepare children for entrance

enable learners to develop and

reached seven-figure revenue,

exams and beyond. Paideia

prove their skills. These solutions

more than 50% profitability,

unveiled its digital learning

range from skills assessments

and has partnerships with the

platform last year, designed to

in education through to job-

University of Cambridge, London

support children and parents

ready digital skills certifications

School of Economics, the UK

through the UK’s independent

from IT industry leaders. The

government and Honoris (among

school entrance exam process.

company serves more than

others) within 12 months with

Available as a monthly or yearly

3,000 education customers

its fully unbundled, fully flexible

subscription, the platform has

worldwide from offices in Dublin,

online learning partnerships. It

been dubbed the ‘Netflix of

London, Sydney and New York.

is delivering on its mission to be

education’ using custom-built

Internationally recognised for its

the catalyst of online education.

technology and academic

work in online skills assessment,

expertise to provide a complete

Prodigy Learning’s ‘skillify’

solution to exam preparation

online assessment platform and

online. Providing a clear learning

‘Coding in Minecraft’ computer

pathway to the exam, Paideia’s

science credential product are

comprehensive and ever-

taking the company to the next

evolving library of multimedia

level of growth.

teaching content is personalised to each child, adapting to their ability as they progress.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Sparx Learning

THE Student

Sparx Learning is on a mission

The THE Student team operate

to improve the numeracy, and

as a subsidiary of Times

therefore life opportunities, of

Higher Education. A dynamic,

five million learners worldwide

innovative team operating as a

by 2030. The executive team

start-up within the organisation,

is led by ed tech veteran Dan

it is dedicated to serving its

Sandhu, a member of BESA’s

global audience of millions

executive council who is on the

of prospective international

leadership council of Brooking

students. Providing an

Institution’s Center for Universal

authoritative source of guidance

Education in Washington. It also

and connecting students to the

includes Colin Hegarty, National

right partners is at the heart

Teacher of the Year and Global

of what THE Student does.

Teacher of the Year finalist. It

The initiative is spearheaded

also has an experienced board

by THE’s chief development

Crimson Education

chaired by Simon Lebus, former

officer, Patrick Hayes, and is

Discovery Education International

chief executive of Cambridge

the realisation of a decade-long

Assessment and includes Jill

vision to develop a proposition

Jones, former chief executive of

at THE that serves students in

Cengage Learning EMEA.

the way that THE has served academics for the past 50 years.

EDUCATION PROVISION

Ed Tech Provider

Bud Systems

Edplace National Education Group Paideia Prodigy Learning Skilled Education Sparx Learning THE Student

educationinvestor.co.uk

Arden University

First Intuition

Further Learning Group

An unashamedly digital-first

First Intuition was founded in

The Further Learning Group

university, Arden University

2007 to provide high-quality

was established in 2004 with

continues to develop its growing

accountancy courses and

the aim of providing quality

reputation for digital excellence.

programmes in the UK, in a

distance learning courses that

With more than 15,000 students

response to a trend towards a

would enable students to acquire

globally online and at its seven

more ‘transactional’ approach

the skills they need to change

study centres in London,

by the market incumbents.

their careers. Over the past

Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds,

Fourteen years on and First

decade, Further Learning has

and Berlin, it is working towards

Intuition is now a national, and

grown to encompass a number

becoming the first-choice

increasingly international, brand

of international academies in

university for ambitious, career-

in the delivery of commercial

the UK, Ireland and Australia,

focused, learners worldwide.

and apprenticeship programmes

offering fully accredited

Alongside these ambitions, it

in the accountancy and finance

classroom-based, live online

has a dedicated focus towards

sector. First Intuition has three

classes, and home study courses

delivering outstanding impact,

core customer groups: employers

in interior design, garden design,

convenience, and relevance to

(business-to-business), students

photography, fashion design,

the graduates and workplaces

(business-to-consumer)

and digital marketing to students

of today and the future. Arden is

and its franchise network.

around the world.

committed to making education

It believes that all sizes and

as accessible as possible,

shapes of employer need to

encouraging equality, diversity

receive the expert support. Of

and inclusion by helping break

the 3,000 students studying

down those traditional barriers of

with First Intuition each year,

time, geography, and expense.

approximately two-thirds are studying outside employer-led programmes.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Learning with Experts

LMP Education (Let Me Play)

Learning with Experts is pioneering the next generation

LMP Education is part of a

of online learning. Students

group of companies with a

learn together from expert tutors

collective mission to inspire

and each other in a trusted

ambition and widen horizons.

online classroom. Learning

Its focus in on education and

with Experts has attracted

social impact to bring about

the world’s greatest experts

positive and sustainable social

and is already achieving 80%

change across the UK. Its sister

completion rates from its

companies include Inspire ATA

students and boasts tutors

and LMP Action C.I.C. It began

including Michel Roux Junior,

life in 2004, delivering summer

Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall

residential camps with the aim

and Raymond Blanc. Learning

of creating opportunities for

with Experts’ most recent

young people – still core to its

First Intuition

business-to-business contract

mission today. From this, it has

Further Learning Group

is with the NHS. It is teaching

grown into a high-performing,

GPs and 20 million patients on

recognised training provider

Learning with Experts

post-Covid syndrome, diabetes

offering a wide range of activities

and obesity. Its NHS courses are

and opportunities, working with

led by Professor Sir Muir Gray

schools, businesses, charities

who introduced breast cancer

and individuals.

EDUCATION PROVISION

Further Education/ Vocational Education Provider Arden University

LMP Education (Let Me Play) London Academy of Trading The Skills Network

screening to the UK.

educationinvestor.co.uk

London Academy of Trading

The Skills Network The Skills Network is a large

LAT’s academic team is led by

provider of online learning and

academic dean and managing

technology-based learning

director, Paddy Osborn, who

solutions. It serves the corporate,

brings more than 30 years of

public and educational sectors,

financial markets experience to

and creates high-quality learning

LAT and has provided analysis

experiences across a wide

and education for several

range of subject areas. From

financial institutions including

its end-to-end learning and

HSBC, Calyon, Morgan Stanley

development solutions, through

and the London Stock Exchange.

to its processes driven by the

He leads a team comprising

latest technologies, it has created

eight experienced traders and

a business that has a reputation

finance specialists from major

for excellence. One of the

financial institutions including

biggest assets to its success is

Citibank, Bank of America,

its bespoke technology solution.

Bloomberg and St. James’ Place.

This, alongside its outstanding

LAT’s specialist trading courses

customer service and its delivery

are taught by experienced tutors

expertise, allows it to enrich lives

in their fields of options trading,

through learning and nurture this

cryptocurrency trading, wealth

ethos worldwide.

management, equity investing and trading psychology.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

10 February 2022 Runnymede on Thames Hotel EDUCATION PROVISION

Further Education/ Vocational Education Provider Arden University

Bringing independent schools and suppliers together for a networking event, using our successful and popular format.

First Intuition Further Learning Group Learning with Experts LMP Education (Let Me Play) London Academy of Trading The Skills Network

For more information contact: caroline.bowern@ investorpublishing.co.uk

Main sponsor

educationinvestor.co.uk

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Arden University

Barbri

An unashamedly digital-first

Barbri has a reputation for

university, Arden University

preparing law graduates for a

continues to develop its growing

career in law. For more than 50

reputation for digital excellence.

years, Barbri has been delivering

With more than 15,000 students

pedagogy and technology

globally online and at its seven

and has educated more than

study centres in London,

1.3 million delegates. Since

Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds,

2013, Barbri has expanded

and Berlin, it is working towards

internationally, training more

becoming the first-choice

than 5,000 students and

university for ambitious, career-

graduates annually to qualify

focused, learners worldwide.

as lawyers in over 100 different

Alongside these ambitions, it

jurisdictions and multiple

has a dedicated focus towards

languages. Barbri prepares

delivering outstanding impact,

candidates for both their US bar

convenience, and relevance to

exams and the UK’s solicitor

Further Learning Group

the graduates and workplaces

exams. It’s now an accessible

of today and the future. Arden is

provider of preparatory courses

Global University Systems

committed to making education

for the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying

as accessible as possible,

Examination) introduced in 2021.

encouraging equality, diversity

EDUCATION PROVISION

Higher Education Institution

Arden University BARBRI

Honoris United Universities Sommet Education The University of Law

and inclusion by helping break down those traditional barriers of time, geography, and expense.

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

Further Learning Group

Global University Systems

Honoris United Universities

was established in 2004 with

Global University Systems is an

Honoris United Universities is

the aim of providing quality

international network of higher

the first and largest pan-African

distance learning courses that

education institutions, affiliates,

private higher education network

would enable students to acquire

and partners, delivering a range

committed to educating the next

the skills they need to change

of qualifications, including

generation of African leaders

their careers. Over the past

bachelor’s and master’s degree

and professionals. Collaborative

decade, Further Learning has

programmes, professional

intelligence, cultural agility and

grown to encompass a number

training and executive education

mobile mindsets and skills are at

of international academies in

courses. London School of

the heart of Honoris’s vision of

the UK, Ireland and Australia,

Business and Finance, founded

higher education. Honoris United

offering fully accredited

by Aaron Etingen in 2003, was a

Universities joins the expertise

classroom-based, live online

predecessor to GUS, which was

of its member institutions to

classes, and home study courses

launched in 2012. Today, the

develop world-class African

in interior design, garden design,

GUS System features UK-based

human talent. Honoris United

photography, fashion design,

institutions, universities and

Universities gathers a community

and digital marketing to students

a wide network of language,

of 57,000 students on 70

around the world.

business and professional

campuses, learning centres and

schools, and is committed to

via on-line, in 10 countries and

excellent student experience and

32 cities. The network counts

providing affordable education.

14 institutions: multidisciplinary

GUS owns and operates a

universities, specialised schools,

diverse networks of higher

technical and vocational

education institutions in the

institutes, contact, distance, and

UK, Ireland, Canada, the US,

online institutions.

The Further Learning Group

Germany, India and Singapore.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Sommet Education

The University of Law

Sommet Education’s extended

The University of Law is one of

executive committee is

the UK’s longest-established

composed of 15 dedicated

specialist providers of legal

members who share a passion

education, with origins traced

for education. With diverse

back to 1876. In 2006, it became

professional backgrounds mainly

the first independent institution

in education, hospitality and

to be granted degree-awarding

tourism, the members also have

powers by the Privy Council. It

different nationalities: Swiss,

grew this year to 19 locations

French, Spanish and British. This

across the UK, online, and on

diversity and common passion

international campuses in Hong

brings a global vision to this

Kong and Berlin. Its programmes

team of leaders, following the

span from undergraduate to

same goal of delivering a high-

post-qualification, and across

quality, distinctive and innovative

law, business, policing and

experience education to the

criminology. In the past five

Further Learning Group

students of the four institutions

years, ULaw has achieved a

of the group. This highly effective

doubling of student numbers,

Global University Systems

and goal-driven team is working

growth and diversification of

daily hand-in-hand for a more

course portfolio, the launch of

gracious and hospitable world.

new campuses, and partnerships

EDUCATION PROVISION

Higher Education Institution

Arden University BARBRI

Honoris United Universities Sommet Education The University of Law

across the UK and globally.

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

Grandir UK

ICP Education

Kindred Nurseries

The Grandir UK leadership team

ICP Education owns and runs

Kindred Nurseries is a family

has created a culture and an

44 nurseries in the UK. It has

of inspiring nurseries and pre-

environment of opportunity,

become a top 10 provider in

schools with distinct home-

learning and openness, enabling

places and the third-largest

from-home environments led

all staff to have a voice and be

operator by profit. Employing

by a management team with

treated with respect. In essence,

more than 1,000 staff, it has

extensive experience in childcare

it is committed to driving

around 7,500 children in its care.

and early education. Its mission

ownership and accountability

The group, while focused on

is to create inspiring worlds full

to the right people in the right

London and the Southeast, has

of awe and wonder for little ones

places, allowing for autonomous

an increasingly national reach as

to grow and thrive in. By creating

decision-making at local

it continues to acquire attractive

days filled with unique moments

levels. It leads together rather

assets to which it knows it can

and opportunities, its inspiring

than from the ‘top down’,

add value through investment.

nursery teams are able to enrich

developing practices, policies

By a relentless focus on quality

a child’s development during

and programmes in collaboration

childcare in inspiring assets, ICP

those all-important first years.

with its teams through working

Education continues to build

With 21 settings across London,

parties and ensuring a culture of

a group of premium nurseries,

the East and South of England,

fun, joy, listening and learning.

each with its own character.

Kindred has ambitious plans to grow its family to 30 to 40 settings over the next few years.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

N Family Club N Family Club is rethinking early years, through developing a progressive curriculum, building a team culture, and delivering the highest quality early years

EDUCATION PROVISION

education to the next generation. 2021 has been a hugely transformative year for N Family Club. Having now established

Nursery Operator

itself as a selective acquirer, while also having ambitious organic growth plans, it feels it has asserted its commitment to its vision to become the highest quality and most loved nursery group in the UK.

Grandir UK ICP Education Kindred Nurseries N Family Club

educationinvestor.co.uk

Arden University

Crimson Education

Fiction Express Education

An unashamedly digital-first

Crimson Education was founded

university, Arden University

to level the global playing field

Fiction Express Education is

continues to develop its growing

for students, starting with paving

a social and global ed tech

reputation for digital excellence.

pathways to help them gain

company headquartered in

With more than 15,000 students

acceptance into top-ranked

London and Barcelona. Fiction

globally online and at its seven

universities, so that they can

Express strives to have a

study centres in London,

develop into visionary leaders

profound impact on the teaching

Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds,

of tomorrow. Today, Crimson is

and learning of language

and Berlin, it is working towards

a US/UK university admissions

and literacy skills in both the

becoming the first-choice

support consultancy, with its

English and Spanish languages

university for ambitious, career-

students up to four-times more

by building a global reading

focused, learners worldwide.

likely to gain acceptance to the Ivy

platform where pupils and

Alongside these ambitions, it

League, Oxford, Cambridge and

renowned authors co-create

has a dedicated focus towards

other institutions. Its services are

stories children love to read.

delivering outstanding impact,

based on its belief that students

Behind Fiction Express is a team

convenience, and relevance to

deserve individualised support in

of more than 25 international

the graduates and workplaces

every aspect of their application,

professionals and experts in

of today and the future. Arden is

from university selection strategy,

publishing and technology, co-

committed to making education

test prep and personal statement/

led by founders Sven Huber and

as accessible as possible,

essay support, to extracurricular

Cristina Puig, who also started

encouraging equality, diversity

mentoring and interview practice.

the Re.school initiative to drive

and inclusion by helping break

innovation in schools as a result

down those traditional barriers of

of the Covid-19 pandemic.

time, geography, and expense.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Navitas University Partnerships Europe

NCUK – The University Consortium

Navitas is a global education

NCUK is an international higher

provider that has helped

education qualification and

generations of learners transform

service provider with more than

their lives through education.

30 years’ experience. It is a

It creates life-changing

consortium of universities that

opportunities to learn by

has helped more than 35,000

delivering an extensive range

international students progress

of educational services to more

to study at its universities in the

than 70,000 students across

UK, Australia, New Zealand,

its global network each year. Its

Canada and the US. It offers

independent higher education

a range of undergraduate and

provision offers accredited

postgraduate degree pathway

certificate, diploma, degree and

qualifications which are delivered

postgraduate programmes that

through its quality-assured

Crimson Education

equip learners with the skills

global network of more than

Fiction Express Education

they need to make valuable

90 delivery partners spanning

contributions to industry

over 30 countries across five

and society. It also delivers

continents. NCUK also offers

English language, digital and

students an English for academic

NCUK – The University Consortium

employability programmes to

purposes programme, an English

help develop essential life skills.

language pre-sessional, and exit

Study Group

It provides managed campus

test for visa purposes.

EDUCATION PROVISION

Pathway Provider

Arden University

Navitas University Partnerships Europe

University Bridge

services for many of its partners, enabling them to reach more students in more locations.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Study Group

University Bridge

Study Group is an international

University Bridge is a US

education provider. For more

pathway company with a

than 25 years, it has worked

different approach to assisting

with universities in the UK,

international students in getting

Europe, Australia, New Zealand

into top US universities. Students

and the US, to deliver pathway

attend one of its partner

programmes to thousands of

two-year colleges and receive

students from across the world.

extensive wrap-around support

Its higher education partners

in all areas of their academic and

include Russell Group and

social lives, after which they are

Group of Eight universities. Its

guaranteed admissions into one

in-house digital learning platform

of more than 180 US universities,

company Insendi is not only an

including five of the top-40,

integral part of Study Group, but

with 93% of UBridge students

also informs how it approaches

transferring into a top 40 US

innovation across the business.

university in the spring 2021

Insendi’s ed tech expertise

admissions season. University

enables Study Group to deliver

Bridge believes it is the first

transformative experiential,

programme to commercialise

intuitive and accessible online

the US community college to

learning experiences for

university pathway space on a

students with the best, most

global scale.

pedagogically powerful digital tools available.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

EDUCATION PROVISION

Pathway Provider

Arden University Crimson Education Fiction Express Education

Through the website and newsletter,

Navitas University Partnerships Europe

NutritionInvestor provides

NCUK – The University Consortium

readers with market

Study Group

reports, consumer trend

University Bridge

analysis, and news about health-conscious brands from around the world.

nutritioninvestor.com

educationinvestor.co.uk

Chatsworth Schools

Forfar Education

Chatsworth Schools entered the

Forfar Education is a specialist

private schools group market in

school investment and advisory

Kent College has been in

late September 2018 with its

business. Forfar partners with

operation for some 135 years

first acquisition and has since

and manages schools across

in Canterbury. In recent years,

grown to a group of 14 schools

the world, supporting them to

locally it has developed an

and nurseries. Its mission is to

become outstanding centres of

international study centre,

enable outstanding futures for

excellence for pupils of all ages to

adopted a nearby prep school

children and all those associated

learn and grow. Forfar’s aim is to

alongside its own Junior Kent

with Chatsworth. The group

create inspiring schools that teach

College and opened a baby

shares a commitment to integrity,

self-belief and deliver academic

nursery in 2018. Internationally

resilience and passion as its core

excellence and go beyond exams

it opened Kent College Dubai in

values and it endeavours not only

and league tables to develop all-

2016, launched KC Hong Kong

to live its values but to encourage

round academic excellence. This

online in 2020, and KC Egypt will

its school communities to do so

equips young people with the

open next year.

too. Chatsworth Schools says

confidence and resourcefulness

it is an education business, not a

that prepares them to grow, thrive

business that happens to be

and find success in an ever-

in education.

changing world.

Kent College Canterbury

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Orbital Education Orbital Education is a privately owned international schools group delivering world class education to expats and local residents outside the UK.

EDUCATION PROVISION

Founded in 2008 by Kevin McNeany, a pioneer of for-profit British international education, the group is now home to nine

Private School Operator

successful schools with a tenth under construction, spread globally from Latin America, through Europe and the Middle East, to Asia. In the 2020/21 academic year, Orbital educated close to 4,000 young people from 114 nationalities preparing them for entry into leading

Chatsworth Schools Forfar Education Kent College Canterbury Orbital Education

universities worldwide. Each of its internationally acclaimed schools is unique, but it is united in its aim to deliver an outstanding education.

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

Aletheia Academy

Cavendish Milton

Enjoy Education

Aletheia delivers quality

Cavendish Milton is a premium

Enjoy Education offers

education both on-site and online.

tutoring agency based in

tutoring, home-schooling

Its academy offers supplementary

London. It provides dedicated

and educational adventures

education for primary, secondary,

one-to-one support from expert

to support lifelong, happy

GCSE and A-level students,

tutors, focused on entrance

learners. Drawing on a network

delivered by expert tutors/

examinations for a range of

of hand-picked school advisors,

mentors and backed by online

UK schools and universities.

private tutors, and mentors, the

resources for self-learning

Tuition is delivered both online

company builds bespoke and

and homework. It also delivers

and face-to-face. Cavendish

flexible education programmes

marquee services such as eleven-

Milton distinguishes itself

for clients and their children,

plus, grammar and independent

with a bespoke combination

wherever they are based in the

schools exam preparation, as well

of assessment-led teaching

world. Education has the power

as International Baccalaureate

using its proprietary content

to transform lives and Enjoy

support. It has provided

and methodology, as well as a

Education believes in delivering

supplementary tuition since 2011.

relentless focus on pupil welfare.

the educational building blocks

Its mission is to help each child

tailored to each child to enable

reach their full potential and

them to be as well prepared as

enter the school or university of

possible for the future.

their dreams.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Explore Learning

Ivy Education

Since 2001 Explore Learning

Ivy Education was founded in

has delivered maths and English

March 2010 by Alastair Delafield.

tuition to four-to-14 year olds.

Combining the provision of

Explore has 100 vibrant learning

high-quality private tuition

centres, an online platform and

with a personal, bespoke

a 4,000-strong workforce, and

approach, Ivy Education has

has supported 300,000 children

set a precedent for a thorough

over the past two decades.

and professional service for

It is recognised as a trusted

clients globally. Its tutors and

partner for parents, schools and

educational consultants provide

charities in their goals to meet

families with expert educational

children’s individual learning

support, helping them

needs and as a company

achieve their desired results.

that provides exceptional

It is a comprehensive agency,

employment opportunities.

providing tuition, consultancy,

EDUCATION PROVISION

Private Tutoring Provider

Aletheia Academy Cavendish Milton

assessments, and courses, both

Enjoy Education

in-person and online.

Explore Learning Ivy Education Kings Tutors Mentor Education Minerva Tutors Supporting Education Group

educationinvestor.co.uk

KINGS TUTORS

Kings Tutors

Mentor Education

Minerva Tutors

Kings Tutors strives to tailor its

Mentor is a supplementary

Minerva Tutors is a family-run,

services to ensure that the needs

education business and is one of

innovative private tutoring

of every tutee are met. It aims to

the largest tutoring businesses in

agency founded in 2014 by

give clients access to the most

London. It has a 40-year history

Hugh Viney. The team includes

dedicated, most experienced

of helping children in London

Hugh’s younger brother Scott

and most engaging tutors and

with their academic studies,

Viney (head of homeschooling)

strives to raise the industry’s

working with private families,

and father Graham Viney (chief

standards and professionalism.

schools and local authorities

technology officer). Integral to

Kings Tutors strongly believes

to help children reach their

the team’s success are education

that tutoring can be something

academic potential. Mentor offers

support managers Alice Pember

that can work alongside formal

a full suite of education services,

and Jessica Prestion, marketing

education and that it focuses on

including tuition, academic

lead Hugo Davison, senior

individual styles of learning.

assessments by the Centre for

tutors Emily Hawkins, Jack Child

Evaluation & Monitoring and

and Jack Page, and head of

revision courses.

international Laura Reynolds.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Supporting Education Group Supporting Education brings together services that support every aspect of a child’s journey through school and beyond. It

EDUCATION PROVISION

equips educators with the skills, support and opportunities they need to teach effectively, it helps schools deliver the best possible

Private Tutoring Provider

experience for their students, and gives parents the right tools to help their children learn. Its mission is to enhance and enrich young people’s education. It believes that education is a vital

Aletheia Academy Cavendish Milton

social good that transforms

Enjoy Education

lives and sustains communities.

Explore Learning

Everything it does is underpinned by its commitment to building happier societies through improving outcomes for children.

Ivy Education Kings Tutors Mentor Education Minerva Tutors Supporting Education Group

educationinvestor.co.uk

Best Practice Network

First Intuition

Best Practice Network provides

First Intuition was founded in

accredited training, professional

2007 to provide high-quality

development and support for

accountancy courses and

education professionals. It is

programmes in the UK, in a

home to Outstanding Leaders

response to a trend towards a

Partnership, a collaborative

more ‘transactional’ approach by

partnership of schools, teaching

the market incumbents. Fourteen

school hubs and multi-

years on and First Intuition is

academy trusts, licensed by

now a national, and increasingly

the Department for Education

international, brand in the delivery

to deliver the full suite of

of commercial and apprenticeship

reformed National Professional

programmes in the accountancy

Qualifications. Its vision is that

and finance sector.

every child, regardless of their background, should benefit

EDUCATION PROVISION

Skills-training Provider

Best Practice Network First Intuition

from an excellent education.

HES

It achieves this by working in

LMP Education (Let Me Play)

close partnership with practising education professionals to design,

London Academy of Trading

develop and deliver continuing

Open Study College

professional development and

The Skills Network

qualifications that help school leaders, teachers, early years practitioners, school business managers, support staff and special educational needs coordinators be the best they can.

educationinvestor.co.uk

HES

LMP Education (Let Me Play)

London Academy of Trading

Services) is the London Borough

LMP Education focuses on

The London Academy of Trading

of Havering’s commercial brand

education and social impact,

is a dual-accredited provider of

for support services to education

working to bring about positive

financial trading education and

establishments. Its service

and sustainable social change

was the first academy in the UK

providers are highly regarded by

across the UK. Its sister

to offer accredited and regulated

schools, academies, colleges, and

companies include Inspire ATA

qualifications in trading. It

early years providers and have a

and LMP Action C.I.C. The

provides practical and vocational

long history of establishing strong

company began life in 2004,

training courses, developed

partnerships and relationships

delivering summer residential

to help individuals wishing

with key stakeholders in these

camps with the aim of creating

to invest or trade in financial

institutions to ensure high-

opportunities for young people

markets, or for those looking

quality day-to-day support

– still core to its mission today.

to enhance their employment

leading to positive outcomes for

From this, it has grown into a

opportunities within financial

children and young people. HES

high-performing, recognised

markets. Since its creation in

offers a holistic and integrated

training provider offering a

2010, it has focused on four

portfolio of support services,

wide range of activities and

specific pillars of knowledge to

training, continuing professional

opportunities, working with

help students improve their skills

development and development

schools, businesses, charities and

and understanding: fundamental

across areas including leadership

individuals. Its apprenticeship

analysis, technical analysis,

and governance, school

and traineeship training provision

trading psychology and risk

improvement and curriculum,

covers 20 different standards

management.

finance and management

Level 2-5 and it currently has

information services, catering,

799 apprentices on programme.

HES (Havering Education

pupil and staff wellbeing.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Open Study College

The Skills Network

Open Study College has helped

The Skills Network is a large

more than 100,000 students

provider of online learning and

over the past 14 years to enrol

technology-based learning

on courses that have helped

solutions. It serves the corporate,

them achieve their goals. It offers

public and educational sectors

more than 700 courses ranging

and creates high-quality learning

from childcare to beauty, to

experiences across a wide

accounting and management. Its

range of subject areas. From

learners can study from wherever

its end-to-end learning and

they like and distance learning

development solutions, through

means they can study at their

to its processes driven by the

own pace, around their other

latest technologies, it has created

life commitments. It empowers

a business that has a reputation

its students to achieve their

for excellence. One of the

ambitions and thrive in life.

biggest assets to its success is its bespoke technology solution. This, alongside its outstanding customer service and its delivery expertise, allows it to enrich lives

educationinvestor.co.uk

EDUCATION PROVISION

Skills-training Provider

Best Practice Network First Intuition HES LMP Education (Let Me Play) London Academy of Trading

through learning and nurture this

Open Study College

ethos worldwide.

The Skills Network

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

Bramble

Bud Systems

Cialfo

Bramble’s online tutoring and

Bud is an apprenticeship

Cialfo’s core mission is to make

teaching platform is currently

management platform, developed

education accessible to 100

used by more than 100,000

by Bud Systems, which is

million students. Launched

tutors and students in 172

pioneering the use of technology

in 2017, Cialfo’s community-

countries. The experience and

to transform the way in which

centric, artificial intelligence-

knowledge gained from nearly

apprenticeships are delivered.

driven solutions connect

1.5 million hours of online

Bud is used by companies that

counsellors, parents, students,

tuition have given Bramble an

deliver apprenticeship and

and universities by streamlining

insight into how people teach

work-based training. Its mission

the often unnecessarily

and learn online.

is to empower training providers

convoluted college application

to deliver outstanding training

process, opening up access

digitally. Bud is a complete

to information and facilitating

digital system built specifically

personalised connections across

to meet the unique demands

institutions and borders. Cialfo

introduced since the introduction

puts the power of building a

of the Apprenticeship Levy

student’s future into the hands

and Apprenticeship Standards.

of those who matter most – the

The platform is designed from

students themselves, and the

the ground up to drive best

counsellors and community that

practice and provide significant

support them. 250,000 students

efficiencies for every business

and their counsellors from the

process involved in apprenticeship

world’s leading international

management delivery.

high schools trust Cialfo to guide them towards the university of their dreams.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Fiction Express Education

insendi Initially created for Imperial

Fiction Express Education is

College Business School in 2013

a social and global ed tech

by Dr David Lefevre, director of

company headquartered in

Imperial’s ed tech lab and Marc

London and Barcelona. Fiction

Wells, the insendi platform was

Express strives to have a

designed to facilitate state-of-

profound impact on the teaching

the art, pedagogically-led, digital

and learning of language and

education. Impressed with the

literacy skills in the English and

capabilities and educational

Spanish languages by building

focus of the new digital platform,

a global reading platform where

three world-renowned business

pupils and renowned authors

schools – ESMT, SMU and

co-create stories children

BI – joined Imperial in 2018 in

love to read. Behind Fiction

investing in the platform with

Express is a team of more than

the aim of further developing

25 international professionals

its capacity and reach. They

and experts in publishing and

believed that the digital campus

technology, co-led by founders

required the same financial

Sven Huber and Cristina Puig,

commitment from educational

who also started the Re.school

institutions as investment in a

initiative to drive innovation

physical campus.

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

Education Software Provider

Bramble Bud Systems Cialfo Fiction Express Education insendi Kinderly National Education Group

in schools as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Kinderly

National Education Group

Kinderly’s early years software provides digital reporting, child

National Education Group is a

development tools, training and

private limited company which

resources to enable childcare

specialises in the provision

professionals to be at their

of remote video continuing

best. Kinderly products include

professional development to

Kinderly Together, nursery

the whole school community

management software that

in the UK and overseas. Its

makes it quick and easy to

mission is to empower schools

record a child’s early learning

to drive up standards and its

journey and share with parents

vision is to be integral to every

as well as providing intuitive

school improvement plan. Its

child development tracking

offer to schools combines three

and reporting linked to the

comprehensive continuing

early years foundation stage

professional development

framework. The software also

programmes written and

provides accounting, invoicing

presented by experts: National

and digital documents so that

Online Safety, The National

the childcare providers have

College and Essential CPD,

everything in one place and

all delivered via a state-of-

at their fingertips, enabling

the-art platform which offers

them to spend more time with

full continuing professional

the children and less time on

development management.

unnecessary paperwork.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

Education Software Provider

Bramble Bud Systems Cialfo Fiction Express Education

Published since 1988,

insendi

Caring Times reflects the

Kinderly

opinions of the social care

National Education Group

sector, focusing on news affecting the private, public and not-for-profit providers of nursing and residential care

careinfo.org

educationinvestor.co.uk

10 February 2022 | Runnymede on Thames Hotel Bringing independent schools and suppliers together for a networking event, using our successful and popular format. �

During the day, hear keynote presentations from industry leaders and advisers about the key issues, trends and challenges across the sector

�

Meetings with key industry suppliers and advisers who have been hand selected as they consistently benefit our attendees in improving their operational and financial activities

�

Attend the evening drinks reception for a chance to meet with other professionals in the independent schools space

�

Attend the forum dinner in the evening, where former Olympic swimmer Mark Foster will be speaking about his experiences and what senior managers can apply in their roles

�

Overnight stay and full use of the hotel facilities including pool, fitness centre and spa.

For further information contact Caroline Bowern caroline.bowern@investorpublishing.co.uk | 0797 4643292

Main sponsor

Gold sponsors

Anthony Millard Consulting

m2r Education m2r Education is an international

Anthony Millard Consulting fully

education services company

understands the school sector

and current Department for

in the UK and internationally.

International Trade export

Since beginning in 2004 it

champions. One of its services is

has remained focused on its

international teacher and ed tech

purpose to provide the UK and

recruitment. It has worked in this

international education sector

sector for 15 years and is also a

with first-class recruitment

member of the Council of British

solutions and strategic

International Schools and British

consultancy. Established by

Schools in the Middle East. It

Anthony Millard, a former HMC

works in more than 40 countries,

head of two UK schools, the

providing recruitment support

team consists of passionate

to international schools, further

educationalists with more

education colleges, language

than 130 combined years of

centres and ed tech companies.

MedConnect Europe

experience in school leadership.

Due to the pandemic it has

Natasha Watson, chief operating

focused heavily on providing

The PIE Exec Search

officer, is Anthony’s daughter

online recruitment support to

and prior to joining Anthony

current and new clients during

Millard Consulting had 17 years’

the past 12 months.

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

Recruitment Services

Anthony Millard Consulting m2r Education

The Spencer Group The Supply Register

experience of teaching in the UK HMC and IAPS sectors as well as at an IAPS school in Kenya.

educationinvestor.co.uk

Proven Global Executive Search

MedConnect Europe

The PIE Exec Search

The Spencer Group

MedConnect Europe is a student

Founded in 2011, The PIE Exec

The Spencer Group has

recruitment company that focuses

Search is a successful search

developed a recruitment

on medical and dental school

service for the international

programme solution, enabling

applicants who wish to study

education sector. It has extensive

education organisations to

abroad in Europe. It is a student-

expertise in research within

utilise its proven executive

focused company that aims to

a headhunting environment

search methodology to execute

provide application and support

working across global education,

recruitment campaigns of volume,

services to students for an

taking on assignments from

delivering excellent results across

affordable price. Most of its clients

commencement of the search and

the globe at pace with a partner

are UK-based school leavers who

delivering a consultative profile

that knows the market, the talent

find it difficult to find a place at

list in an agreed time frame. It is

pool and the client.

a UK university due to extremely

able to navigate the international

high levels of competition. It

education scene and comb

helps these students with their

through relevant networks with

applications, relocation abroad

ease, due to its wide reach across

and provides ongoing support

the sector. It is well equipped to

throughout their course. Once the

identify candidates according to

student graduates, MedConnect

specific needs.

Europe helps them return to the UK and start their careers as doctors and dentists.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

The Supply Register The Supply Register is a technology-driven recruitment service built specifically for education providers, professionals and supply

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

agencies to interact. By creating a transparent and streamlined platform, The Supply Register works in partnership with

Recruitment Services

schools to build their own talent banks, pay successful candidates a higher market rate and reduce recruitment costs by up to 25%. Since 2016, The Supply Register has saved more than £1.5 million

Anthony Millard Consulting m2r Education

on supply cover spend for its

MedConnect Europe

partner trusts.

The PIE Exec Search The Spencer Group The Supply Register

educationinvestor.co.uk

We are Supporting Education Equipping educators with the skills, support and opportunities they need to teach eﬀectively. Helping schools create the best possible experience for their students. Giving parents the right tools to help their children learn. Supporting Education invests in services that support every aspect of a child’s journey through school and beyond. We build bright futures through expert support, inspiring staff and cutting-edge technology.

Interested in a partnership with Supporting Education? Email: info@supportingeducation.com

group

Havering School Improvement Service

Moxton Education Moxton Education, an

HES’s School Improvement

independent consultancy

Service is a well-established

specialising in education and

and respected service providing

information communications

schools and academies with

technology, collaborates with

sustained school improvement

schools, academies and trusts.

and continuing professional

It has secured a stable position

development training, support

in the education/information

and advice that impacts

communications technology

pupil outcomes. The team is

consultancy market, providing

recognised for its excellence

a top-tier service to more than

and in turn attracts the best

250 multi-academy trusts and

stakeholders from within

single schools, from some of the

the sector including highly

country’s largest and smallest

experienced and well-regarded

multi-academy trusts, to special

former headteachers, Ofsted

educational needs schools

inspectors, qualified school

and large sixth form colleges.

improvement professionals

Consultancy services initially

and subject specialists at both

focus on strategy, enabling

primary and secondary level. All

educational institutions to

have appropriate professional

support teaching, learning and

qualifications and current

management. The strategies

knowledge of national issues,

typically lead to involvement

policies and Ofsted regulations

in longer-term change

to enable them to facilitate

programmes that encapsulate

strategic, subject or aspect

teaching, learning, technical,

school improvement.

procurement, commercial, project

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

School-Improvement Provider

Havering School Improvement Service Moxton Education Pheasey Park Farm Primary School & Early Years Centre Tassomai Thuso TT Education VNET CIC

management, legal agreements, and finances.

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

group

Pheasey Park Farm Primary School & Early Years Centre

Tassomai

Thuso

Tassomai is ed tech software

Thuso recruits graduates

widely used in UK secondary

from the world’s leading

In 2014, Ofsted inspectors

schools as a means of raising

universities, as well as those

stated that Pheasey Park Farm

student attainment in core

with a background in leading

School, Walsall ‘Requires

subjects while increasing

management consultancy firms,

improvement’. Teaching was

teaching efficiency through

those with commissioned service

dusty and learning was passive.

the provision of highly detailed

in the military, as well as experts

Headteacher Sally Lanni was

diagnostic data. With a small

from industry and national

brought on board to use her

team and entirely bootstrapped,

consultants, as appropriate.

vision, drive and courage to

Tassomai gained prominence in

transform the school to its

the sector and has continually

much-improved ‘Good’ with a

reinvested revenue to evolve the

strong drive towards excellence

product offering, with its mission

status, winning the respect

to provide the most powerful

of pupils, teachers, parents

artificial intelligence/adaptive

and the wider community.

learning provision to the benefit

Through her passion to make

of the greatest possible number

a significant impact on more

of students, families and schools.

children’s lives, Pheasey

In the UK alone, students have

was one of just 43 schools

answered more than 1.3 billion

across the UK to be awarded

questions on the platform.

‘Demonstrator school’ status by the Department for Education and has gone on to help hundreds of schools nationally to achieve teaching excellence.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

TT Education

VNET CIC

School improvement company

VNET CIC is a network for

TT Education is developing and

education professionals. In

delivering innovative educational

2020/21 VNET supported 238

products and training, which

schools and 12 multi-academy

create transformational change

trusts in the East of England. It

in schools. Its mission is to

is a not-for-profit membership

motivate and inspire teachers,

organisation supporting schools,

school leaders and children to

academies and multi-academy

achieve outstanding results and

trusts across East Anglia and

outstanding schools, through

beyond through a vibrant

engaged learning and visionary

network. VNET facilitates

leadership.

continuing professional development, training, consultancy, events, conferences, research, and longitudinal projects across its community to support education professionals, for the benefit of children and young people. It is a school management

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

School-Improvement Provider

Havering School Improvement Service Moxton Education Pheasey Park Farm Primary School & Early Years Centre Tassomai

information system provider

Thuso

for Arbor Education, National

TT Education

Education Group and Thuso.

VNET CIC

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

group

Arbor Education

National Education Group

Arbor is the UK’s fastest-growing

Thuso Thuso is a strategic consultancy

MIS, helping schools and multi-

National Education Group is a

and technical advisory services

academy trusts work more

private limited company which

provider, operating in the

easily and collaboratively, with

specialises in the provision

education sector internationally,

intuitive tools designed to make

of remote video continuing

with a particular focus on

a difference. With 1,939 schools

professional development to

emerging markets, fragile and

and 206 trusts, Arbor is strong

the whole school community

conflict-affected states, family-

in the cloud-based MIS market,

in the UK and overseas. Its

owned businesses, high net

with more schools switching

mission is to empower schools

worth individuals, and family

to it than any other provider

to drive up standards, and its

offices. Starting in the UK,

for four consecutive terms.

vision is to be integral to every

Thuso has launched a series

The Arbor team is a strong,

school improvement plan. Its

of successful operations and

diverse group of experienced

offer to schools combines three

established a network of global

specialists, ex-teachers and

comprehensive continuing

offices, with permanent bases in

ed tech engineers passionate

professional development

the EU (Estonia), the Middle East

about making a difference to the

programmes written and

(United Arab Emirates), and Asia

sector. Ultimately, it helps make

presented by experts: National

(Hong Kong, and Singapore).

schools and trusts stress a little

Online Safety, The National

The company also operates

less and focus on improving the

College and Essential CPD,

a network of field offices

lives of teachers and outcomes of

all delivered via a state-of-

internationally (with recent

students everywhere.

the-art platform which offers

operations in Iraq, Afghanistan,

full continuing professional

and the Pacific), as well as

development management.

delivering services at client sites.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Essential reading for education companies worldwide

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

School Management Information System (MIS) Provider Arbor Education National Education Group Thuso

educationinvestor.co.uk

GRANDS PRIX

EducationInvestor Global

BUSINESS WOMEN

IN EDUCATION

Photos from the launch event (04 December 2019)

CONNECTING FEMALE PROFESSIONALS IN THE EDUCATION SPACE

The EIG Business Women in Education Network connects like-minded professionals from all corners of the business of education, including operators, investors and advisors, who believe in the wide-ranging benefits that diversity brings. Our aim is to boost diversity in the business of education and empower women to accelerate their careers. Business Women in Education will host a number of events, ranging from large networking events to smaller, more targeted events for a selected group of members. This is a platform for members to connect, share insight and engage with others in the business of education.

FOLLOW OUR LINKEDIN GROUP: BUSINESS WOMEN IN EDUCATION

educationinvestor.co.uk/business-women-in-education

Business Women in Education Produced by @EduInvestor

EducationInvestor-Global

#EIGBusinessWomen

InvestorPublishing

Morgan Allen Partner, Gerald Eve Morgan has more than 15

Ciarda Barrett Chief learning officer, Further Learning Group

years’ experience in advising on education property, specialising

Originally from South Africa,

in children’s day nurseries,

Ciarda moved to Ireland as

independent schools, special

a teenager and has studied,

schools and colleges. She has

lived, and worked there ever

an exceptional reputation in the

since. She first joined the

market and a loyal following of

Further Learning Group in

clients, many of whom are the

2004 and for the past 12 years

UK’s top operators. She has

has overseen the company’s

advised on many of the largest

strategic growth in the education

transactions of the past year,

sector and overseen the course

recently launched a dedicated

development, tuition, and

nurseries team, and is a key

student experience. Her drive,

part of the education team at

determination, and integrity

Gerald Eve. She has excelled in

have enabled her to develop and

the male-dominated property

shape the education experience

sector. Furthermore, she is a

for thousands of students across

strong female role model and a

a variety of arts and design

champion for women.

subjects.

GRANDS PRIX

Business Woman (Business Women in Education) Morgan Allen, Gerald Eve Ciarda Barrett, Further Learning Group Elspeth Briscoe, Learning with Experts Lil Bremermann-Richard, Oxford International Education Group Anita Gleave, Chatsworth Schools Dr Elisabeth Grindel-Denby, Lancaster University Leipzig – Navitas Germany Samantha Greiff, Thuso Robin Headlee, Discovery Education International Sally Johnson, Pearson Amy Lalla, LMP Education Mary de Sausmarez, GL Education

educationinvestor.co.uk

Elspeth Briscoe Chief executive/ founder, Learning with Experts

Lil BremermannRichard Group chief executive, Oxford International Education Group

Only 2.4% of venture capital

Anita Gleave Founder and chief executive, Chatsworth Schools Anita has spent her whole career

money goes to women

Lil was appointed to her current

working in the independent

entrepreneurs. Elspeth is in that

role after working as group

education sector and has a

minority having broken the glass

commercial director since

B.Ed and M.Ed in educational

ceiling and attracted venture

2017. Lil has driven massive

leadership and management. She

capital and angel investment to

growth across the company’s

started as a teacher at schools

disrupt adult online vocational

academic division and has

in Hertford and London before

learning. Elspeth formerly

steered the group through

becoming the founding head of

worked for eBay, Skype and

significant business change

a school in Worcester, head of

The Guardian so has had a long

and development during the

a school in Bath and principal

career building outstanding

Covid-19 crisis. With more than

of a school in Yorkshire. Further

consumer user experiences. She

20 years of senior management

to this, she worked at director

is now applying that knowledge

and leadership experience in

level for three international

to healthcare (NHS is the most

education, Lil’s previous roles

school groups. Anita launched

recent client), training GPs, and

include director of international

Chatsworth Schools in 2018

educating 20 million users on

recruitment for Cavendish

with the acquisition of Hall

Covid, diabetes and obesity,

College, head of international

School Wimbledon and the

along with universities and other

operations for South Thames

group has since grown to 14

vocational sector learning.

College, and most recently,

schools and nurseries. Earlier this

international director at BPP

year she also created Blenheim

University, where she set up

Schools, the consultancy arm of

overseas delivery centres in six

Chatsworth Schools.

countries and territories, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius and Hong Kong.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Dr Elisabeth Grindel-Denby Campus director, Lancaster University Leipzig

Samantha Greiff Partner, Thuso Samantha is an educator with experience partnering

Elisabeth was appointed to her

with communities to create

current role in August 2019

democratic, social and

and has been instrumental

economic development through

in the design, launch and

community-led, innovative

operational leadership of the

education programmes.

university. Originally from

She works in business as

Germany, Elisabeth lived

an international education

in the UK for many years,

consultant and has worked on

where she completed her

advancing democratic inclusion

PhD at Lancaster University.

and human rights through

She is a strong advocate for

education interventions in

transnational education and a

Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and

brand ambassador for Lancaster

beyond for organisations

University Leipzig and Leipzig

including UNICEF, UNESCO,

City. Her mission is to support

Save the Children, and more.

and encourage international

Fluent in English, Spanish, and

students to achieve their

Portuguese, Samantha was

educational dreams throughout

educated at Lawrence Academy

their studies at Lancaster

in Groton, Massachusetts, New

University Leipzig.

York University and the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University.

GRANDS PRIX

educationinvestor.co.uk

Robin Headlee Managing director, Discovery Education International

Sally Johnson Chief financial officer, Pearson

Amy Lalla Co-founder and director, LMP Education

Sally joined Pearson in 2000 and

Amy is passionate about

Discovery Education

has held various senior level roles

empowering young people

International was founded

across the business, including

to raise their ambitions. She

by Discovery Inc, the factual

senior vice-president finance of

advocates for equality within

entertainment channel with

the core business, regional head

education and narrowing

brands including Discovery

of finance international, and

the attainment gap for

Channel, Animal Planet, Science

deputy chief financial officer of

disadvantaged groups.

Channel and Discovery Kids.

Pearson. Prior to this Sally was

Throughout her career, her

Robin runs the international

finance and operations director

driving force has been to support

business, which comprises the

at Dorling Kindersley and has

programmes that build young

fast-growing markets outside

also held a number of finance

people’s confidence, resilience,

the US, Canada and the UK.

positions at Penguin UK. Sally

and self-esteem. Amy regularly

She and her team work closely

is a member of the Institute

raises money for children’s

with ministries of education

of Chartered Accountants in

charities, has been a school

to provide internationally

England and Wales and trained

trustee and chairs a young

benchmarked best-practice

at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

people’s foundation in London,

curriculum, engaging digital and

supporting organisations to

print resources and pedagogical

provide services for young

teacher training that has

people. Recently, she has been

impacted tens of millions of

pivotal in co-ordinating a holiday

students and teachers globally.

activity and food programme

Robin and her team have built

across LMP’s home borough,

partnerships with ministries of

providing 15,000 activity

education in Egypt, Saudi Arabia

sessions and meals.

and Chile and with numerous partners across MENA, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Mary de Sausmarez Sales and marketing director, GL Education Mary joined GL Education after an extensive career in sales and marketing, largely in

GRANDS PRIX

Business Woman (Business Women in Education)

the telecoms sector and most recently as an executive of BT for five years. Mary leads the front line areas of the business, ensuring that customers are continually supported to make the most of the business’s services, while ensuring that the GL Education brand continues to chime with educationalists worldwide. After leaving Loughborough University, Mary worked in the publishing sector before branching into technology. She is a trustee of a multi-academy trust and is chair of a charitable trust.

Morgan Allen, Gerald Eve Ciarda Barrett, Further Learning Group Elspeth Briscoe, Learning with Experts Lil Bremermann-Richard, Oxford International Education Group Anita Gleave, Chatsworth Schools Dr Elisabeth Grindel-Denby, Lancaster University Leipzig – Navitas Germany Samantha Greiff, Thuso Robin Headlee, Discovery Education International Sally Johnson, Pearson Amy Lalla, LMP Education Mary de Sausmarez, GL Education

educationinvestor.co.uk

Arden University

Global University Systems

Minerva’s Virtual Academy

university, Arden University

Global University Systems is an

Minerva’s Virtual Academy is a

continues to develop its growing

international network of higher

full purpose online independent

reputation for digital excellence.

education institutions, brought

senior school for pupils aged

With more than 15,000 students

together by a shared passion

12 to 18. It was launched in

globally online and at its seven

for accessible, industry-relevant

November last year by the team

study centres in London,

qualifications.

behind Minerva Tutors, a UK

An unashamedly digital-first

Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds,

private home schooling and

and Berlin, it is working towards

tutoring agency, which spotted

becoming the first-choice

a gap in the market for an

university for ambitious, career-

attractively branded, affordable

focused, learners worldwide.

online school with a real sense

Alongside these ambitions, it

of community. Minerva’s Virtual

has a dedicated focus towards

Academy enrolled its first pupil in

delivering outstanding impact,

December last year and over the

convenience, and relevance to

past seven months has grown

the graduates and workplaces

rapidly to reach 50 full time

of today and the future. Arden is

pupils as of July. Seventy pupils

committed to making education

in years 9, 10, and 11 started

as accessible as possible,

in September.

encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion by helping break down those traditional barriers of time, geography, and expense.

100

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

National Education Group

Outcomes First Group Outcomes First Group is

National Education Group is a

a provider of outcomes-

private limited company which

led learning, life skills and

specialises in the provision

therapeutic care. It operates a

of remote video continuing

national network of Department

professional development to

for Education registered special

the whole school community

schools and therapeutic care

in the UK and overseas. Its

homes for children and adults

mission is to empower schools

with a range of needs, including

to drive up standards, and its

autism, complex and social,

vision is to be integral to every

emotional and mental health

school improvement plan. Its

needs. In addition, it is the largest

offer to schools combines three

independent fostering provider

comprehensive continuing

in the UK.

GRANDS PRIX

Education Provider

Arden University

professional development

Global University Systems

programmes written and

Minerva’s Virtual Academy

presented by experts: National

National Education Group

Online Safety, The National College, and Essential CPD, all delivered via a state-ofthe-art platform which offers full continuing professional development management. It offers schools a complete continuing professional

Outcomes First Group Pearson Sophia High School Tassomai The Key The University of Law

development solution.

educationinvestor.co.uk

101

Pearson

Sophia High School

Tassomai

Pearson has more than

Sophia is a UK-based ed tech

Tassomai is ed tech software

20,000 employees that deliver

disruptor bringing outstanding

widely used in UK secondary

products and services in nearly

educational provision to the

schools as a means of raising

200 countries, all working to

£191 billion global ed tech

student attainment in core

help everyone achieve their

industry. It offers a full spectrum

subjects while increasing

potential through learning. It

of educational provision from

teaching efficiency through

does that by providing high-

its Sophia.app private tuition

the provision of highly detailed

quality digital content and

on-demand marketplace,

diagnostic data. With a small

learning experiences, as well as

SophiaX online camps and

team and entirely bootstrapped,

assessments and qualifications

courses, and its full-time British

Tassomai gained prominence in

that help people build their skills

curriculum online school at

the sector and has continually

and grow with the world around

Sophia High School. Founded

reinvested revenue to evolve the

them. Pearson works with

by an independent school head

product offering, with its mission

globally recognised educational

teacher and led by a team

to provide the most powerful

institutions, employers and

sharing more than 48 years

artificial intelligence/adaptive

governments, and its expertise

of educational leadership and

learning provision to the benefit

crosses a broad range of subject

teaching experience, it promotes

of the greatest possible number

matters and age groups. It

confidence and convenience

of students, families and schools.

helps tens of millions of people

without compromising on safety

In the UK alone, students have

access content, follow courses,

or quality of education.

answered more than 1.3 billion

sit assessments and gain

questions on the platform.

qualifications around the world.

102

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

The Key

The University of Law

The Key is a provider of

The University of Law is one of

knowledge and tools for

the UK’s longest-established

education leaders determined

specialist providers of legal

to make a difference. It provides

education, with origins traced

the latest policy information and

back to 1876. In 2006, it became

practical advice, as well as data

the first independent institution

insights powered by modern

to be granted degree-awarding

management information

powers by the Privy Council. It

systems, to give leaders in

grew this year to 19 locations

education the context to lead

across the UK, online, and on

and the knowledge to act. It

international campuses in Hong

supports more than 16,400

Kong and Berlin. Its programmes

schools across the country to

span from undergraduate to

drive school improvement and

post-qualification, and across

make a meaningful impact. Its

law, business, policing and

Global University Systems

community of ambitious and

criminology. In the past five

Minerva’s Virtual Academy

aspiring members has grown

years, ULaw has achieved a

to more than 160,000 leaders

doubling of student numbers,

National Education Group

of schools and multi-academy

growth and diversification of

trusts. It is committed to serving

course portfolio, the launch of

the needs and championing the

new campuses, and partnerships

perspective of education leaders

across the UK and globally.

across the country.

GRANDS PRIX

Education Provider

Arden University

Outcomes First Group Pearson Sophia High School Tassomai The Key The University of Law

educationinvestor.co.uk

103

Crimson Education

Fiction Express Education

Crimson Education was founded

m2r Education m2r Education is an international

to level the global playing field

Fiction Express Education is

education services company

for students, starting with paving

a social and global ed tech

and current Department for

pathways to help them gain

company headquartered in

International Trade export

acceptance into top-ranked

London and Barcelona. Fiction

champions. One of its services is

universities, so that they can

Express strives to have a

international teacher and ed tech

develop into visionary leaders

profound impact on the teaching

recruitment. It has worked in this

of tomorrow. Today, Crimson is

and learning of language

sector for 15 years and is also a

a US/UK university admissions

and literacy skills in both the

member of the Council of British

support consultancy, with its

English and Spanish languages

International Schools and British

students up to four-times more

by building a global reading

Schools in the Middle East. It

likely to gain acceptance to the Ivy

platform where pupils and

works in more than 40 countries,

League, Oxford, Cambridge and

renowned authors co-create

providing recruitment support

other institutions. Its services are

stories children love to read.

to international schools, further

based on its belief that students

Behind Fiction Express is a team

education colleges, language

deserve individualised support in

of more than 25 international

centres and ed tech companies.

every aspect of their application,

professionals and experts in

Due to the pandemic it has

from university selection strategy,

publishing and technology, co-

focused heavily on providing

test prep and personal statement/

led by founders Sven Huber and

online recruitment support to

essay support, to extracurricular

Cristina Puig, who also started

current and new clients during

mentoring and interview practice.

the Re.school initiative to drive

the past 12 months.

innovation in schools as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

104

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

MedConnect Europe MedConnect Europe is a student

North London Collegiate School International

recruitment company that focuses on medical and dental school

North London Collegiate Schools

applicants who wish to study

is a group of four schools

abroad in Europe. It is a student-

operating in the UK, Korea, Dubai

focused company that aims to

and Singapore. Its international

provide application and support

schools are managed by local

services to students for an

partners under the cooperative

affordable price. Most of its clients

franchise arrangement operated

are UK-based school leavers who

by North London Collegiate

find it difficult to find a place at

International, a subsidiary of the

a UK university due to extremely

NLCS UK. Its parents and partners

high levels of competition. It

judge its success by exam results,

helps these students with their

university destinations and quality

applications, relocation abroad

of enrolment in its schools. All

and provides ongoing support

its schools achieved outstanding

m2r Education

throughout their course. Once the

results this year with NLCS Jeju

student graduates, MedConnect

achieving particularly strong exam

MedConnect Europe

Europe helps them return to the

results and Oxbridge placements,

UK and start their careers as

and NLCS Dubai and NLCS

doctors and dentists.

Singapore exceeding expectations for student enrolment.

GRANDS PRIX

Exporting Excellence

Crimson Education Fiction Express Education

North London Collegiate School International Real Training Sophia High School Thuso

educationinvestor.co.uk

105

Real Training

Sophia High School

Thuso

Real Training provides

Sophia is a UK-based ed tech

Thuso is a strategic consultancy

professional development

disruptor bringing outstanding

and technical advisory services

and training to thousands

educational provision to the

provider, operating in the

of education professionals

£191 billion global ed tech

education sector internationally,

worldwide. Its bespoke platform

industry. It offers a full spectrum

with a particular focus on

Campus Online means almost

of educational provision from

emerging markets, as well as

all of its high-quality courses

its Sophia.app private tuition

fragile and conflict-affected

can be completed online and

on-demand marketplace,

states, supporting family-owned

there are opportunities to

SophiaX online camps and

businesses, high net worth

attend some face-to-face and

courses, and its full-time British

individuals and family offices.

bespoke courses which can be

curriculum online school at

Starting in the UK, Thuso has

delivered anywhere in the world.

Sophia High School. Founded

launched a series of successful

It offers a variety of courses,

by an independent school head

operations and established

including its international award

teacher and led by a team

a network of global offices,

in SEN coordination (iSENCO),

sharing more than 48 years

with permanent bases in the

which has been designed to be

of educational leadership and

EU (Estonia), the Middle East

specifically highly relevant to

teaching experience, it promotes

(United Arab Emirates) and Asia

international settings.

confidence and convenience

(Hong Kong and Singapore).

without compromising on safety

The company also operates

or quality of education.

a network of field offices internationally (with recent operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Pacific), as well as delivering services at client sites.

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EducationInvestor Awards 2021

GRANDS PRIX

Exporting Excellence

Crimson Education Fiction Express Education

NMT provides directors,

m2r Education

owner / managers

MedConnect Europe

and managers with a

North London Collegiate School International

comprehensive series

Real Training

of challenging and

Sophia High School

informative articles which

Thuso

find practical solutions for the challenges they face every day in their nurseries.

nmt-magazine.co.uk

educationinvestor.co.uk

107

E-Numeracy

m2r Education

Minerva’s Virtual Academy

E-Numeracy is an online ed tech

m2r Education is an international

platform with a specific focus

education services company

Minerva’s Virtual Academy is a

on students who struggle with

and current Department for

full purpose online independent

maths, whether in education or

International Trade export

senior school for pupils aged

in apprenticeships. Students who

champions. One of its services is

12 to 18. It was launched in

have failed GCSE maths typically

international teacher and ed tech

November last year by the team

have low confidence and are

recruitment. It has worked in this

behind Minerva Tutors, a UK

convinced they “can’t do maths”.

sector for 15 years and is also a

private home schooling and

A significant effort is required

member of the Council of British

tutoring agency, which spotted

by lecturers to rebuild their

International Schools and British

a gap in the market for an

confidence before they can even

Schools in the Middle East. It

attractively branded, affordable

begin learning to resit the exam

works in more than 40 countries,

online school with a real sense

and success rates are below 25%.

providing recruitment support

of community. Minerva’s Virtual

This is the focus of E-Numeracy

to international schools, further

Academy enrolled its first pupil in

– to provide that ‘second chance’

education colleges, language

December last year and over the

to those whose career, education

centres and ed tech companies.

past seven months has grown

and even life choices are being

Due to the pandemic it has

rapidly to reach 50 full time

constrained by lack of a GCSE

focused heavily on providing

pupils as of July. Seventy pupils

maths qualification.

online recruitment support to

in years 9, 10, and 11 started

current and new clients during

in September.

the past 12 months.

108

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Paideia

Talk Education

Paideia is a new digital learning

Talk Education is a dynamic

platform using innovative

digital guide to the world’s

software and expert educators

best independent schools, a

to prepare children for entrance

parent advisory service, an

exams and beyond. Paideia

educational events company,

unveiled its digital learning

and a schools advisory service.

platform last year, designed to

From 2009 to 2018, the team

support children and parents

researched, wrote and edited a

through the UK’s independent

print guide to UK independent

school entrance exam process.

schools. It left in 2018 to start

Available as a monthly or yearly

its own business and launched

subscription, the platform has

its website in September

been dubbed the ‘Netflix of

last year. Talk Education

education’ using custom-built

is a ‘one-stop-education-

technology and academic

shop’, providing unbiased

m2r Education

expertise to provide a complete

information and guidance

Minerva’s Virtual Academy

solution to exam preparation

on the world of independent

online. Providing a clear learning

education, dispelling myths and

pathway to the exam, Paideia’s

demystifying processes. For

comprehensive and ever-

schools, Talk Education is a new

The Parents’ Guide to

evolving library of multimedia

tool in their marketing armoury,

THE Student

teaching content is personalised

a focused, quantifiable resource

to each child, adapting to their

to help them reach their target

Welcome Nurseries

ability as they progress.

market in challenging times.

GRANDS PRIX

Market Entrant

E-Numeracy

Paideia Talk Education

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

109

The Parents’ Guide to

THE Student

Welcome Nurseries

The Parents’ Guide to supports

THE Student is a dynamic new

Formed in June 2019, Welcome

parents of teenagers aged 14

digital platform operating as

Nurseries made five acquisitions

to 19. It provides unbiased

a start-up subsidary of Times

of nursery schools prior to the

information to help parents

Higher Education, designed to

pandemic. In March last year,

give their teenage children the

provide the higher education

funding offers were withdrawn

right advice about next steps at

ecosystem with opportunities

and the company had to take

16 and 18 years old. Its online

to engage with prospective

radical action to survive the

interactive guides, supplemented

international students in one

crisis. The decision was made

by its website resources, provide

place. Informative, vibrant

to grow rather than contract

all the information parents

and empowering, it acts as

and between May 2020 and

need to understand the choices

a powerful referral engine,

May 2021 the company made

available after GCSE and sixth

connecting prospective students

36 acquisitions, on average one

form and which ones will suit

and parents to the universities,

every 10 days. The company is

different teens best. It also

data and services they need

now the sixth-largest early years

provide information on how

to make one of the biggest

provider in the UK with more

home life and hobbies develop

decisions of their lives – who to

than 4,200 childcare places.

personality and soft skills

trust with their education. Times

This has been achieved without

which are important factors in

Higher Education has engaged

private equity or bank funding

future employment and further

an academic audience for more

and the company is supported

education. This knowledge

than 50 years, however, as a

by its shareholders, Linda Cuddy

empowers parents to give their

result of its World University

and Jonathan Jay.

children the best possible advice.

Rankings, launched in 2004.

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EducationInvestor Awards 2021

10 February 2022 Runnymede on Thames Hotel GRANDS PRIX

Market Entrant

E-Numeracy

Bringing independent schools and suppliers together for a networking event, using our successful and popular format.

m2r Education Minerva’s Virtual Academy Paideia Talk Education The Parents’ Guide to THE Student Welcome Nurseries

For more information contact: caroline.bowern@ investorpublishing.co.uk

Main sponsor

Gold sponsors

Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

111

Ciarda Barrett Chief learning officer, Further Learning Group

Elspeth Briscoe Chief executive/founder, Learning with Experts

Emily Jack Founder, Kings Tutors

Originally from South Africa,

Elspeth formerly worked at eBay,

Emily, a qualified teacher, started

Ciarda moved to Ireland as a

Skype and The Digital Guardian.

Kings Tutors because she is

teenager and has studied, lived,

Only 2.4% of venture capital

passionate about children’s

and worked there ever since.

and angel money is invested

education. She noticed that too

She first joined the Further

in women entrepreneurs and

many children did not have the

Learning Group in 2004 and for

Elspeth is one of the few who are

support they needed to pass

the past 12 years has overseen

breaking the glass ceiling.

the increasingly competitive

the company’s strategic

school entrance examinations

growth in the education sector

or the support to cope with the

and overseen the course

pressure put upon them. This is

development, tuition, and

an issue close to her heart. Emily

student experience. Her drive,

strongly believes tutoring can

determination, and integrity

work alongside formal education

have enabled her to develop

and that it focuses on individual

and shape the education

styles of learning. Described as

experience for thousands of

“instantly likeable and extremely

students across a variety of arts

efficient” by the Good Schools

and design subjects.

Guide, Emily has grown Kings Tutors into a leading London tutoring agency, providing academic tuition to clients across the globe.

112

EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Sarah Mackenzie Chief education and people officer, N Family Club

Alice Rose Co-founder, Talk Education Alice edited Tatler’s Schools

Sarah is an experienced early

Guide from 2009 to 2018,

years leader specialising in group

when she and her team left

strategy and the combining

the magazine to found Talk

of high-quality pedagogy

Education, a dynamic digital

and curriculum delivery

schools guide, parent advisory

with operationally effective

service, educational events

methodologies. N Family Club is

and schools advisory company.

rethinking the way early years

Over the years, Alice has visited

education in nursery groups is

schools up and down the

approached. Sarah is passionate

country, interviewed countless

about working collaboratively

heads, quizzed hundreds of

across the sector and is a member

pupils and eaten more school

of Ofsted’s pedagogy and

lunches than she wants to

practice forum, chair of the South

think about. As one of the three

East Ofsted Big Conversation and

founders of Talk Education, she

member of the sector Covid-19

represents an internationally

response sub-group. She is a

recognised success story in

qualified early years professional,

education publishing.

having started her career as a nursery assistant.

GRANDS PRIX

Woman to Watch (Business Women in Education) Ciarda Barrett, Further Learning Group Elspeth Briscoe, Learning with Experts Emily Jack, Kings Tutors Sarah Mackenzie, N Family Club Alice Rose, Talk Education Dilshad Sheikh, Arden University Lucy Spencer, Education Boutique Alexandra Tigan, Thuso Isabelle Waring, Paideia Award sponsored by

educationinvestor.co.uk

113

Dilshad Sheikh Dean of the faculty of business, Arden University

Lucy Spencer Director & lead tutor, Education Boutique

Alexandra Tigan Head of operations, Thuso

On leaving teaching, Lucy

Alexandra is an experienced

Having joined Arden University’s

realised the demand for

consultant and linguist with

faculty of business in November

private tutoring was higher

a wide range of experience

2020, Dilshad became, in the

than ever imagined, resulting

in the education sector. She

process, Arden University’s

in hand-selecting tutors to

has supported educational,

first-ever Dean. Building a

join the Education Boutique

development and humanitarian

faculty from scratch, Dilshad

team. Described by many as

aid programming in more than

has successfully driven the

an infectiously enthusiastic

30 countries, for clients ranging

development of Arden’s

person, clients comment on the

from private investors and family

existing portfolios of business

way the Education Boutique

businesses, to UN agencies

and healthcare management

team shares the same passion

and leading international non-

programmes, providing academic

and drive to provide excellent

governmental organisations.

leadership and driving the

educational support. Lucy’s

Alexandra completed her

creation of the university’s new

areas of specialism form the

undergraduate studies at the

schools Since becoming the

vision foundation, with talented

University of Aberdeen and

first Asian female Dean to be

practitioners and dedicated

also holds a master’s of science

nationally appointed to lead a

parents placed at the heart

in language teaching from the

business school in 2015, Dilshad

of its offering. In 2019, The

University of Edinburgh. A native

has continued to challenge

Good Schools Guide described

speaker of Romanian, she has

preconceptions in overcoming

Education Boutique as “one to

also studied French and German,

numerous challenges and glass

watch”. A year later, Lucy started

both of which she speaks fluently

ceilings as her reputation grows

her tenure as vice-president of

in addition to English.

in academic senior leadership.

the Tutors’ Association.

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EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Isabelle Waring Chief executive, Paideia Isabelle is an independent education specialist and Paideia is an ed tech platform revolutionising the way children learn online, dubbed the Netflix of education.

GRANDS PRIX

educationinvestor.co.uk

115

NMT Nursery Agendas 2022 A great and free networking opportunity for owners, directors and senior management of nurseries. These popular events use a well proven and much appreciated formula to offer nursery owners, directors and senior management, as well as organisations providing products and services to the nursery sector, the opportunity to meet and decide whether they wish to do business together. The event also offers those attending the chance to update themselves on the key issues in the nursery sector and meet some of the leading personalities as well as fantastic networking opportunities and overnight accommodation. NMT Agenda South – 27th January 2022 Crowne Plaza Felbridge NMT Agenda Midlands – 12th May 2022 Chesford Grange, Kenilworth NMT Agenda South-West – 7th July 2022 DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House, Bristol NMT Agenda North – 6th October 2022 Worsley Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Manchester

NMT Acquisition Forum – 22nd September 2022 Epsom Downs Racecourse This event is organised by Nursery Management Today, the key Publication for owners, directors and senior management in the nursery sector nationwide. The event will follow the formula of our highly successful Nursery Agenda Events but will be specifically targeted to owners, directors and acquisition directors of nurseries nationwide who are looking to add to/ expand/refurbish their nursery portfolios and would like to meet buying agents, banks, finance brokers, extension specialists, advisors, refurbishment companies and artchitects. This is a free event for nurseries. The nursery forum will allow providers to meet with these suppliers in face to face meetings during the day to discuss their requirements and see if they wish to do business together.

If you are a nursery owner/managing director/operations director and would like to register interest to attend any of the above events or if you are a supplier and would like to book a space or sponsorship please contact Caroline Bowern caroline.bowern@investorpublishing.co.uk | 0797 4643292

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Gold partner

Silver partner

Award partners

group

Drinks reception partner

Notes

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EducationInvestor Awards 2021

Unconventional thinking. Real impact. EY-Parthenon Education practice

About EY-Parthenon EY-Parthenon professionals are global leaders in strategy consulting. EY-Parthenon teams are committed to bringing unconventional yet pragmatic thinking together with clients’ smarts to deliver actionable strategies for real impact in today’s complex business landscape. Innovation has become a necessary ingredient for sustained success. Critical to unlocking opportunities is the EY-Parthenon balance of strengths – specialized experience with broad executional capabilities – to help you optimize your portfolio of business, uncover industry insights to make investment decisions, find effective paths for strategic growth opportunities and make acquisitions more rewarding. EY-Parthenon methodologies, along with a progressive spirit, can deliver intelligent services for clients, amplify the impact of strategies and make EY-Parthenon consultants the global advisors of choice for business leaders.

About EY-Parthenon Education practices EY-Parthenon Education professionals have an explicit mission and vision to be the leading strategy advisors to the global education industry. To achieve this, significant investment is made in dedicated management and team resources so that the global EY-Parthenon education experience extends across public sector and nonprofit education providers, foundations, for-profit companies and service providers and investors. EYParthenon professionals have deep experience and a track record of consistent success in working closely with universities, colleges, states, districts, and leading educational reform and service organizations across the globe.

EducationInvestor

Awards 2018

EducationInvestor

Awards 2018

WINNER

Consultants – to education institutions