Dubai nursery firm merges with Europe's largest

Blossom Nurseries, the largest provider of early years education services in Dubai, has merged with Babilou MENA, the Middle East operations of Babilou Group, the largest early years education and nurseries group in Europe.

Blossom Nurseries, the largest provider of early years education services in Dubai, has merged with Babilou MENA, the Middle East operations of Babilou Group, the largest early years education and nurseries group in Europe.

Founded in Dubai in 2009 by Zahra Hamirani and Rahim Sajan, Blossom Nurseries has rapidly grown from one site to six centres across Dubai, with a number of expansion sites identified in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The company appointed Deloitte to advise its hareholders on regional growth plans and to deliver an optimal funding structure to support this business strategy.

Deloitte identified a number of potential investors that led to the merger with Babilou.

“This merger between Blossom’s best in class local early years education expertise and Babilou’s market leading international capabilities is the ideal combination of two complimentary businesses that are leaders in their fields. Ultimately, it is the parents and their children who will benefit from the award winning range of early years education services and solutions,” said Aziz Ul-Haq, partner, Financial Advisory, Deloitte, Middle East.

Zahra Hamirani, founder and CEO of Blossom Nurseries, added:
“It was important for me to find a partner that shared our company values and would present the ideal platform to capitalize on the tremendous opportunity in the regional early years education segment.

"I believe we have found that partner in Babilou and can’t wait to get started on our combined business plan.”

Babilou was founded in Paris in 2003 by Rodolphe and Edouard Carle, and is France’s largest private daycare operator. Babilou welcomes more than 25,000 children each week, with more than 520 childcare centres.

Deloitte said the merger between Blossom and Babilou MENA is expected to create the market leading platform in the UAE early years education space.

Read more: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/education/378976-dubai-nursery-firm-merges-with-europes-largest