Electra Partners supports Treetops Nurseries’ acquisition of South East based Nursery School Operator

POSTED 07 April 2014

Electra Partners is pleased to announce a further investment by Electra Private Equity PLC in Treetops Nurseries to support the acquisition of a South East based operator of nursery schools.  

Established in 1991, Treetops is one of the UK's top 10 nursery education operators providing childcare to over 3,000 children. It was previously a subsidiary of PINE Unit Trust and was spun out from the parent group into a standalone business in 2012.

The acquisition adds 15 sites to Treetops' existing estate of 34 nurseries providing it with greater scale and a more significant presence in the attractive South East England market. Treetops will be investing in the estate to improve quality of environment and the learning offer.

Chris Hanna, Investment Partner of Electra Partners, said:

"Our strategy for Treetops is to expand the business both organically and through acquisitions of smaller competitors in what is a highly fragmented market. We are therefore delighted to support the management of Treetops make this important acquisition which enhances the business' geographical footprint in an attractive market."

Chris Hanna, Nigel Elsley and Nicola Gray are responsible for the investment in Treetops Nurseries.

This is the fifth investment Electra Partners has announced this year, following the £85 million investment in Hotter Shoes, the £83 million commitment to invest in Ogier Fiduciary Services, the £14 million acquisition of Calrec and the £15 million further investment in CALA Group. In the year to 30 September 2013, Electra Partners announced record levels of investments and realisations, investing £337 million and realising £459 million on behalf of its major client Electra Private Equity PLC.

Electra Partners refers to Electra Partners LLP acting on behalf of its client Electra Private Equity PLC.

Ends

For further information please contact:

For Chris Hanna:
Andrew Honnor or Matthieu Roussellier, Greenbrook Communications  +44 (0)20 7952 2000
Andrew Kenny or Nicholas Board, Electra Partners  +44 (0)20 7306 3902

Note to Editors:

About Electra Partners LLP
Electra Partners is an independent private equity fund manager with over 25 years' experience in the mid-market buyout sector. During the last 25 years it has invested in excess of £4.1 billion in over 150 deals. As at 30 September 2013, the firm had funds under management of over £1.5 billion including available investment capacity of more than £450 million.

Electra Partners' flexible investment strategy allows it to invest broadly across the private equity market with a particular focus on Buyouts and Co-investments, Secondaries and Debt. In addition to this, its long-term capital base means it is not constrained by expiring investment periods or exit pressure driven by fund raising cycles and is therefore able to realise investments only when returns are maximised for its investors.

The firm's major client is Electra Private Equity PLC ("Electra"), a private equity investment trust which has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1976. Electra's long-term investment performance has been consistently superior to private equity and other benchmarks. Over the ten years to 30 September 2013, Electra has seen diluted NAV per share growth of 279% compared to a 140% increase in the FTSE All-Share.

For further information please visit www.electrapartners.com.

Electra Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.