Harvey Ingram helps Bright Horizons land national nursery chain

Release date: 19/5/2009

Bright Horizons buys Teddies Nurseries from healthcare giant Bupa

The deal marks an expansion for Bright Horizons Family Solutions, which adds 32 key sites catering for thousands of babies and toddlers in Bristol, Southampton, London and the Home Counties. Bright Horizons was founded in the US in 1986 and began operating in Europe in 2000. It has grown to more than 100 nurseries across the UK and Ireland. This acquisition now positions Bright Horizons as the largest nursery provider in the UK.

European managing director Stephen Kramer says: "Teddies Nurseries represents an outstanding acquisition for us and we are excited to continue on that mission. Excellent childcare replicates much of a good and loving home, where caring adults nurture children and help them grow and learn, and creating these environments in our nurseries begins with outstanding support of staff and the work that they do.

"We are proud to welcome the Teddies Nurseries, their children, families and staff to the Bright Horizons family."

The ambitious acquistion was overseen by Harvey Ingram corporate specialists Roy Botterill and Stephen McElhone.

Stephen McElhone says: "We were delighted to work on this deal on behalf of Bright Horizons. It came together pretty quickly and was completed very smoothly. Teddies is a superb acquisition for Bright Horizons, reflects its ambitious expansion plans and is clearly a very good strategic fit."

Both Bright Horizons and Bupa are now working closely together to ensure a smooth handover for Teddies staff, children and families.