Foresight invests in Mulberry Bush Nursery Group
Foresight Group has invested in Mulberry Bush Nursery Group, a Greater Manchester nursery operator, to support its growth across the North of England through organic development and strategic acquisitions.
Founded in 1990 by the Robinson family, Mulberry Bush provides early years education and childcare across five nursery settings in North Manchester. The group offers 460 registered childcare places and employs approximately 200 people. Ofsted has rated three of its settings Outstanding and two Good.
The investment provides a succession solution for the existing shareholders while supporting the next stage of Mulberry Bush’s development. Existing owners Jo Kinloch, Paul Robinson and Andy Robinson will continue to support the business, with Jo Kinloch remaining involved as an adviser to the board.
Incoming CEO Cary Rankin will lead the business alongside newly appointed chair Joy Chamberlain and CFO Zoe Collins. With backing from Foresight, the team plans to expand the group across the North of England through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services in the North West provided financial due diligence services to Foresight in support of the investment. Partners Catriona Lang and Ros Jones led the team, supported by Madeleine Andrews and Louis Walker.
Sophie Clough, senior investment manager at Foresight Group, said, “Mulberry Bush is a well-established and highly respected nursery group with an impressive track record of providing high-quality childcare across Greater Manchester.
The business has strong foundations and a clear opportunity to build scale through both organic growth and acquisitions.
We are delighted to be partnering with the existing Mulberry Bush team alongside the new senior hires and look forward to supporting its continued expansion, helping increase access to high-quality childcare provision across the North of England.”
Catriona Lang, Partner at Dow Schofield Watts, added, “We are delighted to have supported Foresight with its investment in Mulberry Bush Nursery Group. The business has built a strong reputation for high-quality childcare across Greater Manchester and has a clear opportunity to expand its reach throughout the North of England.
We wish Foresight, the existing shareholders and the strengthened management team every success as they begin this next stage of growth.”
