Grant Thornton advises leading nursery group on investment

The corporate finance team at Grant Thornton UK has advised Storal, one of the largest privately-owned nursery groups in England, on a “significant” investment and growth capital raise.

The firm said a new partnership with mid-market private equity firm Graphite Capital will see Storal “continue its rapid organic and acquisitive growth”. 

Storal operates 28 nurseries and two out-of-school clubs providing early years education to over 2,000 children, and has earned a reputation as one of the highest quality providers in the country, ranking fourth in this year’s Nursery World Ofsted quality rankings. 

It has built a nationwide presence through launching and acquiring single site and small group settings, integrating them into its platform.

Grant Thornton said that as an “education sector-specialist”, it has a long-standing relationship with Storal’s founders, initially advising on a debt refinance and fundraise in 2021. As well as corporate finance advisory, it has provided debt advisory, financial and tax due diligence, financial modelling and tax services to the shareholders. 

It added that the transaction builds on its market-leading position in the education and training sector and the nursery market in particular, following the sale of Davidson-Roberts to Family First; nine Mama Bear’s settings to Grandir UK; The London Preschool Group to Three Little Birds; Kew and St Margarets Montessori Schools to Dukes Education; and Little Brackens Nursery to Forfar Education. 

Sarah Mackenzie, CEO at Storal, said: “Having worked with the Grant Thornton team before we were confident that they were the right advisors to support us on this transaction. The dedication, insight and expertise they have brought to this process and to helping us to find the right partner for this next chapter of our story has been invaluable. 

“We’re very pleased to have now partnered with Graphite, and I am confident that their support will enable us to achieve our vision of becoming the nursery group that every family and educator wants to be part of.” 

Andrew Frame, director at Grant Thornton, added: “Storal is a business I have admired for a long time, led by a team of passionate entrepreneurs who have built an incredible platform across England through acquisition and new openings. The business has a clear growth strategy to broaden access to high-quality early years learning at a time when there is increasing political support and recognition of the educational and societal benefits. 

“The business attracted significant interest with over a dozen investment offers recognising the unique quality platform that Storal represents. We take great pride in seeing Graphite partner with the team and we wish Sarah, Ash and Varun every success in the future.” 

The corporate finance team comprised Andrew Frame, Mike Tillson, Will Rose, Niall McDonald, Vincent Egunlae and Gareth Maxted.