Portfolio focus / Education spotlight
Bright Stars
Bright Stars is a leading independent group of UK children's nurseries and the largest and highest-quality nursery platform in the UK outside the international groups. It operates in a large, stable market underpinned by non-discretionary spend, with strong downside protection driven by low cyclicality. Since Oakley's investment in June 2021, the founder-led business has grown through a sustained programme of targeted acquisitions in a structurally fragmented sector.
Bright Stars
Bright Stars has grown strongly under Oakley's ownership, with the group acquiring 99 settings at a blended multiple of <8x, supported by a proprietary tool to assess market attractiveness and drive disciplined target selection.
Alongside M&A, Oakley has supported the professionalisation of the platform. A single nursery management system has been rolled out across England and Scotland, group-wide financial reporting has been standardised, and central functions, including the property team, have been built out. A quality-led investment strategy, supported by a scaled central team, has delivered sector-leading standards, with 98% of settings rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. The Group has also expanded beyond its core English base into Scotland and Ireland, which together now account for around 30% of revenue, with further opportunity for expansion across Europe and beyond. Oakley continues to work closely with management to drive disciplined consolidation and maintain quality standards.
99
settings acquired under Oakley ownership
98%
of settings rated good or outstanding by Ofsted