Head of UK Mergers and AcquisitionsCreating brighter futures through strategic growth and partnershipLocation:

UK-based, 3 days per week from our Theale offices. Extensive UK and some international travel required.Reports to:

UK Chief Executive Officer with dotted to Group Head of MandA (France)Contract:

Full-time, PermanentHours:

40 hours per weekROLE OVERVIEW

As our

Head of UK MandA , you’ll lead the acquisition strategy for The Old Station Nursery Group (TOSN) in the UK, identifying, evaluating, and securing high-quality early years settings to support our ambitious growth journey. Acting as the face of MandA across the UK, you’ll work closely with brokers, owners, and our internal teams to bring new nurseries into the group in a values-aligned, commercially sound, and culturally thoughtful way.Reporting to our UK CEO with strong links to the Group Head of MandA (France) and working in close partnership with both the UK and French senior leadership, you’ll shape the UK acquisition pipeline and lead deals from origination through to integration, ensuring every new nursery reflects our vision of delivering exceptional care and education to children and families.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Origination and Relationship BuildingRepresent TOSN across the UK as the primary contact for brokers, owners and operators interested in selling their childcare provisionBuild and nurture strong relationships with brokers and nursery owners to generate a consistent and high-quality deal pipelineWork in close collaboration with the MandA Manager to identify new opportunities and maintain visibility in the market2. Evaluation and Deal StructuringLead the commercial and operational analysis of potential acquisitions, assessing financial performance, care quality, cultural fit, and strategic alignmentDevelop financial models to evaluate ROI, IRR, and key risk/opportunity metrics, ensuring robust and commercially viable recommendationsPresent business cases and recommendations to the UK Senior Team and Group Executive for investment approval3. Negotiation and Deal ExecutionLead valuation and commercial negotiations with sellers, balancing strategic alignment with commercial viabilityManage external advisors (legal, financial, operational) to define scope, timelines and deliverables, ensuring the required level of commercial and financial due diligence is performed and evaluated.Oversee legal negotiations, including purchase agreements, lease arrangements and supporting documentation, in partnership with counsel4. Integration and Post-Acquisition SupportPartner with our Integration Manager and departmental heads to plan and execute smooth onboarding of acquired nurseriesEnsure every transition is values-led, operationally smooth, and supports a sense of belonging for teams and familiesAct as a point of continuity for resolving post-acquisition queries and ensuring long-term success5. Strategic LeadershipDesign and build the UK MandA structure to deliver the group’s growth strategyCollaborate with Group-level executives to align UK activity with overall MandA strategyBring insight and innovation to continuously improve how we evaluate, acquire, and integrate new nurseriesWHAT YOU’LL BRING

Proven experience managing MandA activity end-to-end; from pipeline origination through to deal closure and integrationStrong commercial acumen with the ability to model financial performance and evaluate return on investmentExperience negotiating with vendors and managing professional services partnersHigh-level stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence across Executive and operational teamsProfessional qualification (e.g. ACA, CFA, MBA) or equivalent strategic and financial experienceAdvanced Excel and data analysis capabilitiesAbility to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environmentDESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Experience working in the early years or education sectorExperience managing and developing a small teamWHO YOU ARE

A confident, values-led communicator who thrives on building relationshipsA skilled negotiator who balances commercial insight with emotional intelligenceHighly organised and analytical, with a keen eye for detailCalm under pressure, resilient in ambiguity, and adaptable to changeSelf-motivated, driven by results, and excited by making a tangible differencePassionate about children’s education and contributing to a growing, values-led groupWHY JOIN US?

At The Old Station Nursery Group, we believe in creating brighter futures — not only for the children in our care, but for the colleagues and nurseries who join our journey. As Head of UK MandA, you’ll play a central role in shaping the future of early years care across the country, bringing brilliant new settings into a group that’s trusted, respected, and growing.Safeguarding Commitment

The Old Station Nursery Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. This role is subject to enhanced DBS checks and appropriate pre-employment screening.

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