Foot Anstey advises premium schools group Thomas's on its strategic partnership with Oakley Capital

National law firm, Foot Anstey, has advised Thomas's on its strategic partnership with Oakley Capital, a specialist investor in the education sector.  

Thomas’s is a family-run group of co-educational independent schools, which are consistently among the most top rated and in-demand independent schools in London.

The partnership will enable the facilities across Thomas’s schools to be upgraded and developed, and investment in new opportunities to expand the group's offering. The Thomas family will remain majority owners in full control of the group, with Oakley taking a minority stake.

The Foot Anstey team was led by Head of Corporate and Private Equity Matthew Stoate, supported by Katie-Jane Rees, Dominic Cromwell and Lauren Hickey (Corporate) and Karen Bates (Employment).

Partner Matthew Stoate commented: "It has been a pleasure to work with the entire Thomas's family on this transaction. To see how this family-founded group has grown from a kindergarten in a church hall over 50 years ago is something quite special. We were thrilled to advise on this next growth stage. I look forward to seeing where the team, now in partnership with Oakley, will take the business."

Tobyn Thomas, Principal at Thomas's London Day Schools, commented: "This partnership represents a bright new horizon for us. Thank you to Matt and his excellent team – we chose to work with them based on their expertise and we couldn't have done it without their expert guidance!" 

Thomas's has five independent day schools in London, which provide education to students aged between two and sixteen. The schools have a reputation for combining very high academic standards with a broad, kind, and creative approach to education and a strong emphasis on the arts and sports.

The Foot Anstey Corporate and Private Equity team work on a wide range of deal activity with a deep specialism in management advisory. The team partner with clients to become an extension of their deal team and to provide the best possible outcomes. To see more of the team's work, visit our website.

To find out more about Foot Anstey's services please visit https://www.footanstey.com/about/ or connect with the firm here https://www.footanstey.com/contact/.

Other advisors included

• Travers Smith – acted for Oakley
• Houlihan Lockey – acted for Thomas's (corporate finance)
• Evelyn Partners – acted for Thomas's (tax and accountancy)

Editors contacts

James Grice – [email protected] or +44 117 9154982