Our Services

School Mergers & Aquisitions

 

Steed Education provides advice and project management services for mergers and acquisitions.

The coming years are likely to see a consolidation of schools and schools groups both internationally and in the UK independent sector. Steed Education is here to provide reliable advice and support through these complex transitions. Recognising that school leaders don’t always have the capacity to take on these important projects, Steed Education is able to take on the project management, doing the heavy lifting.

International Schools’ Group Mergers

Steed Education works with Private Equity firms and Schools Groups which are looking to expand their portfolio through mergers, acquisition and new ventures. We have extensive knowledge of for-profit, franchise and not-for-profit schools’ market in the Middle East and Asia; and personal contacts with many of the school leaders in the region.

U.K. Independent School Mergers:

Steed Education works with UK Senior and Prep Schools helping them navigate the complex processes of a merger:

  • development of a school M&A strategy;

  • logistical planning of the merger;

  • development of a communication strategy for key stakeholder groups;

  • due diligence reports;

  • project management

 

Why Steed Education?

Mark Steed was one of the pioneers of UK indpendent school mergers, creating the Berkhamsted Schools Group through the charity merger with Heatherton School and the acquisition of the previously proprietorial, Haresfoot School. These mergers entailed a significant reorganisation of the schools concerned both in terms of aligning the educational provision, and consolidating the back-end support functions of the schools.

Mark is particularly interesting in exploring new models for Secondary Schooling - the subject of his Masters Dissertation with Ashridge-Hult Business School.

Mark was the Chair of both HMC (The Head’s Conference) International Division, comprising the top 50 British International schools in the world; and the British Schools in Dubai Group. He is a member of FOBISIA, the Federation of British International Schools in Asia.

 
 
 

Samantha Steed has extensive knowledge of setting up new schools both from her time as the Founding Principal of Ranches Primary in Dubai; and, more recently, in working for Harrow International setting up five new schools in Mainland China.

In Dubai, Samantha was involved in growing the school from the 40 students who opened the school in September 2015 to a roll of 600 four years later. She was involved in the design and fit out of the building

Whilst working for Harrow International Samantha was involved in the planning and launch phases for five Harrow schools across Mainland China: including two Harrow International Schools (Harrow Shenzhen and Harrow Haikou) and three Harrow Innovative Learning Academies (Harrow Nanning, Harrow Chongqing, Harrow Zhuhai). She played a leading part in setting up Early Years units under the Harrow early years ‘Little Lions’ brand.