IU Group
The largest and fastest-growing university group in Germany.
IU has continued its growth trajectory in 2023, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA up >30% and >35% against the prior year, respectively. Intake in Germany continues to grow against the prior year, with total students now at >140k. IU also continued its growth in B2C International during the year. The integration of LIBF (The London Institute of Banking & Finance, UK) and UFred (University of Fredericton, Canada) add-ons is ongoing with the first students having signed up for fully UK accredited IU online degrees.
OCI valuation
IU Group
£85.2m
OCI valuation
Schülerhilfe
£63.4m
Schülerhilfe
The leading provider of afterschool tutoring across Germany and Austria.
Schülerhilfe experienced robust intake growth throughout 2023, resulting in a 15% increase in LTM revenue and a 21% increase in LTM EBITDA compared with the prior year. Operational efficiency improvements were maintained, and enrolment levels remained strong, exceeding pre-COVID levels by 37% compared with 2019. This growth is supported by a widespread network of more than 1,100 centres and disproportionate growth in online tutoring, ensuring accessibility for students seeking academic support.
Bright Stars
A leading independent group of premium nurseries, providing pre-school childcare.
Bright Stars had a strong year, delivering EBITDA growth of 8% versus prior year. The business made ten acquisitions during 2023, bringing the total number of nurseries acquired under Oakley’s ownership to 54. The current pipeline of UK acquisitions is strong, with several deals expected to close in Q1 2024. The Group is one of the highest quality large nursery operators in England, with one third of nurseries rated Ofsted Outstanding in 2023 versus a UK average of 15%.
OCI valuation
Bright Stars
£41.6m
K12 Investments
K12 Investments consists of Oakley’s investments in Thomas’s and Affinitas, which both continue to operate as independent platforms.
For the 12 months ending 31 August 2023, the K12 Investments traded ahead of budget, delivering revenue and EBITDA growth of 9% and 13% versus prior year, respectively. In 2023, Affinitas signed the acquisition of seven schools, bringing the total group to 16 schools, with a strong further pipeline of M&A across Europe and the Americas. Thomas’s acquired a 105,000 sq ft freehold site in Richmond, which will cater to >600 secondary students. This will enable Thomas’s to deliver education to its students from kindergarten to year 12.
OCI valuation
K12 Investments
£38.7m
ACE Education
A leading higher education platform focused on sports management, design, fashion and hospitality.
For the financial year to August 2023, ACE Education delivered revenue and EBITDA growth of 38% and 20%, respectively, vs prior year. ACE Education's 2022/23 enrolment campaign performed strongly on the back of marketing investment, seven new campus openings and the expansion of ACE's apprenticeship offering. As a result, new student enrolment grew by 56% year-on-year and total enrolments grew by 33% year-on-year. The business is working on further new campus openings, new programme launches and online programme development to help deliver continued growth.
OCI valuation
ACE Education
£17.2m