AcadeMedia acquires Chestnut Nursery Schools, entering UK early years market

Mills & Reeve advised the Chestnut shareholders, and Grant Thornton UK provided integrated corporate finance, tax, financial modelling and financial due diligence advisory services to the Chestnut shareholders in connection with the sale of Chestnut Nursery Schools to AcadeMedia. The transaction sees AcadeMedia, the Swedish education group, acquire Chestnut Nursery Schools, one of the UK’s largest founder-owned nursery groups. Chestnut comprises 21 nurseries across three regions—Cambridge, Norfolk and East London—and was founded over 20 years ago by Steven Davies and David Saunders from a single site. The business has remained independently owned throughout that period, making it one of the largest founder-owned nursery groups operating at this scale in the UK. For AcadeMedia, the acquisition represents its first move into the UK nursery market, adding a proven, regionally diverse early years education provider to its European portfolio. Jonathan Greenwood of Mills & Reeve commented: “It has been a privilege to have advised the founders and shareholders of the Chestnut group of nurseries on their successful sale to AcadeMedia. Chestnut is a genuinely impressive business – built from a single nursery, it has grown to a 21-site group over two decades and today enjoys an enviable reputation for quality. The acquisition of the group by AcadeMedia positions Chestnut well to capitalise on that reputation, and we wish both Chestnut and AcadeMedia every success for the future.” Stuart Davies, corporate finance partner at Grant Thornton UK, said: “Chestnut is a genuinely impressive business – built from a single nursery in East London into a 21-site group over two decades, with a reputation for quality that speaks for itself. The founders set a clear goal, and it was a privilege to bring together our teams to deliver a result they could be proud of. We wish Chestnut every success as part of the AcadeMedia family.” Steven Davies, co-founder of Chestnut Nursery Schools, added: “It was a pleasure to work with Mills & Reeve through the process. The team’s expertise, support and commitment to our ambitions provided invaluable to helping us achieve a successful and smooth transaction. We are extremely proud of the Chestnut group and are delighted that the business is able to continue its success within the AcadeMedia group.” Mills & Reeve represented the Chestnut shareholders with a team composed by: Jonathan Greenwood (corporate partner) and David Hollier (principal associate). Grant Thornton UK represented the Chestnut shareholders with a team composed by: Stuart Davies (corporate finance partner).

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AcadeMedia acquires Chestnut Nursery Schools, entering UK early years market

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AcadeMedia acquires Chestnut Nursery Schools, entering UK early years market

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