Operam's Expansion: Three Hills Capital Steps In
Deal News | Nov 14, 2024 | Three Hills Capital Partners
Three Hills Capital Partners has announced its investment in Operam Education Group, marking the firm’s second impact-focused endeavor. Operating out of Manchester, Operam provides temporary teaching staff to underserved schools across the UK. This move continues Three Hills' strategy to offer capital solutions to entrepreneurial businesses in the European middle market. Founded by CEO Eddie Austin, Operam implements a buy-and-build growth strategy with eight acquisitions completed to date and a strong position in the UK’s £1.2 billion education resourcing market. Three Hills will assist in cementing Operam’s market leadership through both organic growth and acquisitions. The deal facilitated an exit for BGF, a growth capital investor which had supported Operam since 2019. BGF has reinvested alongside Three Hills to aid further growth. HSBC supports the transaction through senior debt facilities. Legal advisors across multiple firms supported all parties, ensuring a comprehensive advisory framework.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Education Services
- Human Resources and Staffing
Geography
- United Kingdom – The investment is focused on Operam Education Group, headquartered in Manchester and serving schools across the UK.
- Europe – Three Hills Capital's impact investment platform focuses on European middle-market businesses.
Industry
- Private Equity – Three Hills Capital Partners is a private markets investment firm engaged in an impactful investment into Operam Education Group.
- Education Services – Operam Education Group operates in the education sector, providing temporary staffing solutions for schools across the UK.
- Human Resources and Staffing – Operam specializes in education recruitment agencies, exemplifying industry practices in HR and staffing solutions.
Financials
- 1.2 billion GBP – The valuation of the UK education temporary resourcing market in 2023.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Hills Capital Partners | Investor | Company | An investment firm providing capital solutions to businesses with impactful models in Europe. |
| Operam Education Group | Target Company | Company | A Manchester-based education resourcing business focusing on temporary staffing for underserved UK schools. |
| BGF | Selling Company | Company | A growth capital investor that provided initial backing for Operam, now reinvests post-Three Hills deal. |
| HSBC | Debt Provider | Company | Provided senior debt facilities to support the transaction. |
| Eddie Austin | CEO | Person | Founder and CEO of Operam Education Group, overseeing strategic operations and growth. |
| Pablo Vlez | Partner | Person | Partner at Three Hills Capital Partners, involved in the investment strategic decisions. |
| Rob Johnson | Investor at BGF | Person | BGF investor involved in the initial and continued investment in Operam. |
| Pinsent Masons | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal advisory services to HSBC for the transaction. |
| KPMG | Corporate Finance Advisor | Company | Provided corporate finance advisory services to Operam and management. |
| Squire Patton Boggs | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal services to Operam's management during the transaction process. |
| DLA Piper | Legal Advisor | Company | Advised Three Hills on legal matters during the investment. |
| Addleshaw Goddard | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal services to BGF during the transaction. |