Private equity firm Livingbridge has acquired the UK-wide nursery group Kindred from asset manager Unigestion. Kindred specializes in early years education for children aged three months to five years, operating nearly 50 locations across Southern England and the Midlands.

Unigestion initially invested in Kindred in 2017 through its Direct Opportunities Fund. Since then, it has implemented a focused investment strategy that expanded Kindred from just four nurseries to its current scale. A significant factor in this growth has been the establishment of a strong management team, led by CEO Ruth Pimentel, which emphasized quality care and a cluster-based model to ensure consistent childcare across all locations.

Unigestion plans to continue supporting Kindred alongside Livingbridge with a new investment from its Unigestion Direct III fund. Pimentel expressed gratitude for Unigestion's pivotal role in their growth strategy and looks forward to the ongoing partnership with Livingbridge.

Pieter-Jan Frederix, a Partner at Unigestion, highlighted the successful collaboration with Pimentel and her team, noting their pride in building a high-quality nursery group. He emphasized the importance of backing proven leaders in resilient markets, which aligns with Unigestion's investment strategy.

Joe McGee, Investment Director at Livingbridge, shared his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating that Kindred's commitment to high-quality childcare aligns with Livingbridge's values and experience in the education sector.

This acquisition reflects a growing confidence among private equity firms in the UK market, as they seek opportunities in resilient sectors like early childhood education.