LDC, a private equity investor part of Lloyds Banking Group, has exited its investment in The Edwin Group, selling it to US-based Quad Partners after a successful three-and-a-half-year partnership. The Edwin Group, a values-led business, specializes in recruiting and retaining high-quality education professionals for schools and multi-academy trusts across the UK. It operates under brands like Vision for Education, ABC Teachers, and Smart Teachers, and has recruited over 11,000 teaching and support staff in the past year.
The Edwin Group's strategy focuses on three pillars: recruitment, retention, and workload reduction. It also offers services through Still Human (staff wellbeing), Commando Joe’s and Enrich Education (curriculum enrichment), Llama ID (safeguarding), and Edwin People (HR and leadership). LDC supported a management buyout of The Edwin Group from Tes Global in December 2020. Under CEO Liam Roberts, the company pursued an ambitious growth strategy, making four acquisitions and expanding its services, now working with over 4,500 schools and opening nine new locations.
Significant investments were made in the senior team, including appointments like Sarah Monk as Chief Strategy Officer and Charlie Afif as Chief Information Officer. The Edwin Group also achieved ESG Excellent status and was named in the Sunday Times Best Place to Work for big companies in 2023 and 2024. Non-Executive Chair Elaine Simpson won Businesswoman of the Year at the Education Investor Awards.
Quad Partners will now support The Edwin Group in its next growth phase, focusing on addressing challenges in teacher recruitment and retention. CEO Liam Roberts expressed confidence in meeting the complex needs of schools and multi-academy trusts, emphasizing the company's commitment to values and customer service.
David Bains, Partner and Head of the East Midlands and East of England at LDC, praised the management team's vision and achievements, noting the company's investment in people, service diversification, and ESG credentials. LDC was advised by Grant Thornton, EY Parthenon, BDO, and Browne Jacobson during the exit process.
