Education recruiter expands national presence with acquisition

Barnsley-based BGF-backed education recruitment specialist Operam Education Group has completed its first acquisition in London, strengthening its geographical presence in the South East.

In its latest round of strategic acquisitions, the company acquired Horizon Teachers for an undisclosed sum in a transaction funded by HSBC with strategic support from growth capital investor BGF.

Horizon Teachers is a central London based recruitment agency that works with primary, secondary and special schools to provide teachers and support staff across London and the South East of England.

This is Operam’s eighth acquisition and is part of a buy and build operation. It represents a significant milestone for the business as it expands its reach beyond the North and Midlands.

Chief Executive Eddie Austin said: “The acquisition of Horizon Teachers is an important step forward as the business confidently enters its next phase of growth.

“Over the past seven years, we have built a strong platform that has allowed us to acquire highly complementary businesses that give us strength and depth – both from a sector and geographic perspective.

“The sector has grown exponentially over the past 30 years. However, employment remains a real issue for our education clients and we are committed to helping solve this problem.

“Our delivery employees want choice and flexibility – not only in where they work, but also in the environment in which they work.

“We can give them that choice, especially as we grow the group through strategic acquisitions such as Horizon.”

Matt Hill and Nancy McDonnell founded Horizon Teachers in 2008.

They said: “We are delighted that Horizon Teachers is taking this major step forward and becoming part of a like-minded, progressive and ambitious group such as Operam.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to build on the success of the Horizon Teachers brand and accelerate the company’s growth.

“We look forward to beginning this exciting new chapter with Operam Education Group.”

To date, Operam has acquired Provide Education, The Education Specialists, Teachers UK, Key Stage Teacher Supply, First for Education, Bridge Education and Provision Recruitment.

Rob Johnson, investor at BGF, said: “Through a carefully executed buy and build strategy and strong organic growth, the team has built an excellent reputation in the market, while implementing robust systems and processes that enable the group to deliver on its growth ambitions.

“This acquisition will give them a strong competitive edge on a national level and will allow them to partner with large education groups to drive continued growth.”

Ross Mather, Relationship Director at HSBC, added: “We are pleased to support the continued growth of Operam Education Group as its strategic banking partner and to fund the acquisition of Horizon Teachers.

“The acquisition marks a key milestone as Operam enters its next chapter, expanding its geographic reach to support the education ecosystem around London and the Home Counties. We look forward to their continued success.”

The advisors to the transaction were: Operam Education Group – Squires Patton Boggs (legal); Horizon Teachers – Grant Thornton (corporate finance), Howes Percival (legal).