Most education business sales complete within six to twelve months from instruction to completion. The timeline depends on the type and size of your business, the complexity of its structure, and the level of buyer interest. We will give you a realistic timeline during our first conversation and keep you informed at every stage.

We consider a range of factors including enrolment strength and trends, revenue quality, the reputation and track record of the institution, the strength of the leadership team, property tenure, and the funding model underpinning the business. We also review comparable transactions in the education sector to benchmark where your business sits in the current market. A meaningful valuation requires a proper conversation about your specific circumstances. Read our guide to selling an education business for a more detailed look at what influences valuations.

Our fees are structured as a percentage of the final sale price, which we agree with you before any work begins. In most cases there is also an upfront fee to cover the cost of preparing and presenting your business to market. We are transparent about costs from the outset so there are no surprises during the process.

Every engagement begins with a non-disclosure agreement. Buyers are vetted and qualified before receiving any identifying information about your business. All communication is managed through our client portal, which means your staff, students, parents, and competitors will not know you are considering a sale unless you choose to tell them.

Our buyer network includes education groups, private equity firms, institutional investors, and experienced individual buyers across the UK, Europe, and internationally. We match your business with buyers who are actively acquiring in the education sector and who have the financial capability and strategic intent to complete a transaction.

We typically work with business owners in the one to twenty million pound range, though we are happy to have a conversation regardless of size. Our clients include single-site nurseries and independent schools through to multi-site education groups and training providers. We work with owners across the UK, Europe, and internationally.

Absolutely, and it is important that you do. An education business that continues to deliver strong enrolment, good academic outcomes, and a stable team is worth more to buyers. We manage the entire sale process so you can focus on leading your institution without distraction.

That is completely fine. Many of our best outcomes come from owners who started the conversation early. If you are thinking about selling in the next one to three years, talking to us now means we can help you understand what buyers look for and what steps you can take to strengthen your valuation before going to market.

Buyers assess a range of factors depending on their own strategy, but the things that consistently drive interest and premium valuations include strong and growing enrolment, a well-regarded reputation, an experienced leadership team that can operate independently, solid academic or training outcomes, freehold or long leasehold property, and a clear and sustainable revenue model. In regulated settings, inspection ratings such as Ofsted in the UK also play a significant role in how buyers assess value and risk.