Chatsworth is a market-leading global group of outstanding independent and international schools in developed markets around the world and two-time Education Investor Award Winner, committed to also acquiring and building new schools in rapidly growing and developing areas.
Led by Anita Gleave, Founder and CEO, Chatsworth Schools has ambitious plans to expand the school family. The group has been supported by leading growth investor Synova Capital since 2019, who have put in place a funding package to support future organic and acquisitive growth.
The project
As part of the process to grow and develop the schools joining the Chatsworth Schools group, Synova Capital commissioned MTM Consulting to provide a complete market overview of potential new schools. To date, we have provided the analysis on over 10 potential acquisitions, with the most recent addition of Broughton Manor Preparatory School.
For each school we are asked to provide a market overview consisting of the following:
- Define realistic catchment areas.
- Detail the market size for target age children within the catchments in the relevant age groups.
- Estimate the market size of target children within each neighbourhood (c130 households) and postcode sector (c2000 households) within each market.
- Project the population change of the target markets within each catchment to 2029.
- Analyse roll trends of competitors.
However, we are also able to add bespoke market analysis as per the requirements of each potential new acquisition, for example SEN analysis.
Results
Our research provided valuable data insight on the state of the market and the competition to the leadership team at Chatsworth Schools group, allowing evidence-based decisions to be made around whether to proceed with the acquisition. In the most recent case of Broughton Manor Preparatory School the decision was made to proceed with the acquisition, taking the total number of schools owned by Chatsworth Schools up to 15 and signalling their tenth purchase since the partnership with Synova Capital.
Next steps for Chatsworth Schools
We look forward to working with Chatsworth Schools on future acquisitions, continuing to provide the data insights to enable evidence-based decisions.
It is vital that we have the full picture when we are considering a new acquisition. The team at MTM Consulting is able to provide the full market analysis that we require in a timely manner, often at short notice. Their research is comprehensive and of a high standard, and they are consistently able to provide the unique insight that we need to move forward – or not. I look forward to working with them again in the future.