Fri, 08 May 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
Operam Education Group, an education recruitment specialist backed by private markets investment firm Three Hills and BGF, has completed its ninth acquisition. The acquisition of Greater Manchester- and Hitchin-based Choice Teachers and its brand, Bespoke Education, forms part of the company’s ten-year growth strategy.
The deal was funded by Three Hills’ lower middle market sustainability-focused strategy Three Hills Impact, BGF, Operam management and long-term banking partner HSBC.
Choice Teachers is an education recruitment agency specialising in the recruitment of long-term and daily supply teachers and support staff. The firm nursery, primary, secondary and further education settings, as well as special educational and additional learning needs institutions.
Choice Teachers, which has offices in Leigh, Hitchin and Liverpool, represents the largest acquisition yet by Operam as it proceeds with its buy-and-build growth plan. The acquisition strengthens the group’s presence in the North West of England, as well as bolstering its reach in London and the home counties.
Operam Chief Executive Eddie Austin said: "The North West has always been a traditional heartland for Operam and a key region when it comes to executing our ten-year growth strategy.”
"The acquisition of Choice Teachers will help to deepen our existing roots in the North West, while materially growing our footprint in the south of England, where we’ve been growing following our first London acquisition in 2024."
The deal will see Choice Teachers’ directors remain with the business, along with its 50-strong team. Hailing the firm’s “deep sector knowledge and a strong local network”, Eddie Austin said that Choice Teachers and its team would “perfectly complement our current portfolio of businesses”.
Three Hills partner Pablo Velez said: “With Choice joining Operam, the group materially increases the scale of the business, taking it to more than £50m of revenues, while further strengthening Operam’s position as a leader in education recruitment.”
"By expanding the company’s capabilities and reach, the acquisition enhances Operam’s ability to support schools and improve student outcomes. We look forward to continuing our close partnership with the management team as they deliver the next phase of growth."
Rob Johnson, investor at BGF, said: "Operam has built an excellent reputation in the market through strong organic growth and a well-executed buy and build strategy, bringing together like-minded businesses that together form part of an ambitious and progressive recruitment group.
"This is yet another statement acquisition and a significant milestone in the second phase of its growth strategy. It perfectly positions Operam as one of the pre-eminent education specialists in the UK."
Despite a decline in dealmaking last year, recruitment M&A is expected to recover in 2026 amid an increase in private equity investment
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