Latest News on the UK and Irish ELT Markets

ELT Market NEWSLETTER by James Dixey

OCTOBER 2024

Latest News on the UK and Irish ELT Markets...

This newsletter covers:

• What ELT Buyers are looking for right now
• Recent ELT Company Sales in the UK and Ireland
• The state of the UK and Irish ELT markets right now
• Strategic Planning: predicting the size and shape of the ELT markets in the UK and Ireland in 5 years’ time

I consult my list of ELT Buyers on a regular basis and they are increasingly active now that the pandemic is over. Here’s what they are looking for right now and the number of Buyers showing interest:

• An ELT school in London (2)
• Summer Young Learners businesses (3)
• A small ELT school of less than £1m Turnover (1)
• A large ELT business of £15m Turnover (1 from the USA)
• A full-time K12 Prep School, including the Freehold Property if available (1)
• UK/Irish Tour Operators interested in the Italian market for Study Travel (1)

Both markets are recovering strongly from the pandemic, with sales at approximately 80% of pre-pandemic numbers. Buyers are active and looking, and profits are also rising. There are some good and successful schools available to buy in both markets. You can find listings here: www.jamesdixey.co.uk/listings.

James Dixey remains very active in helping Buyers buy and Sellers sell. With 40 years of experience in the ELT business, he can advise you on the valuation of your business.

What ELT Buyers are looking for right now...

The state of the UK and Irish ELT markets right now...

...in the UK

The most significant recent sale has been that of St. Andrew’s College Language Schools Ltd. of Scotland to Trinity Viaggi Studio Srl of Italy.

• St. Andrew’s is a large ELT business with 18 centres, operating in the Young Learners market in the UK. Rumours predicted a turnover of £21m.
• The business had been for sale for 3 years but consistently failed to achieve a satisfactory price.
• That suddenly changed with Trinity’s offer, and the deal closed rapidly.
• Rumours are that it went for a multiple of 7x EBITDA, which is good in the current market.

...in Ireland

Sales in the last 12 months have included:

• Atlas Language School, Dublin bought Clare Language Centre.
• Atlas Language School, Dublin bought Imagine English Language Academy in Liverpool.
• Centre of English Studies (CES) bought ACET Language School in Cork.
• WEP, Belgium bought Apollo Language Centre, Dublin.
• City Colleges, Dublin has been sold.
• ATC Language and Travel and UKLC have formed a Strategic Alliance.

Predicting the size and shape of the ELT markets in the UK and Ireland in 5 years’ time.

I am gathering views to publish a summary of what both markets predict. I shall shortly send you a Questionnaire asking for your ideas to contribute to this process. All contributions will be welcomed and acknowledged.

I will then summarise all contributions anonymously and circulate a summary of what people think both ELT markets will look like in 2029. I hope you will contribute, and that the result will help us all plan for the longer term.

I look forward to hearing from you

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