Walker Morris advises Endless on acquisition of Findel Education

21st June 2021

Lawyers at Walker Morris have advised Endless LLP, one of the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investors, on the acquisition of Findel Education Limited from Studio Retail Group plc.

Findel Education is one of the UK’s leading ecommerce led suppliers of educational resources and equipment to schools and nurseries. It is a one-stop-shop for a wide range of everyday essential consumables and capital products, including stationery, arts & crafts, furniture, facilities management, curricular materials, outdoor and sports equipment. Findel Education has been trading since 1817 and has developed well-known brands including GLS, Hope, Philip Harris and Davies Sports.

The management buy-out has been led by the existing management team of Chris Mahady (CEO), Mark Whittaker (CFO) and Martin Jones (CIO). The team will be further bolstered by the appointment of Paul McClenaghan (CEO of Victoria Plum) as Chairman following the acquisition.

The Walker Morris team comprised Debbie Jackson, Alan Harper, Matthew Lingard and Andrew Dixon (Intellectual Property), Austin Judson and Cameron Baloyi Rigby (Real Estate), Lucy Gordon and Charlotte Smith (Employment), James Crayton (Commercial), Michael Taylor, James Crellin and Ricky Walker (Banking & Finance), Liz Graham (Pensions), Sarah Ward (Competition) and Stuart Ponting (Regulatory).

Andy Ross, Partner at Endless LLP, said:

“We are delighted to be backing Chris, Mark, Martin and the entire Findel Education team to deliver our shared vision for the business and look forward to working closely with them in the coming years. We believe that this is an exciting opportunity to acquire and develop a truly market leading business.”

Debbie Jackson, added:

“Endless’ acquisition of Findel Education will no doubt create a strong opportunity for growth for the company and we are delighted to have worked alongside the Team on its latest investment.

“Endless is a longstanding client of the Firm and the number of successful transactions we have achieved together is a testament to our focus on building good working relationships. These relationships are key in being able to provide Endless with sound commercially focussed advice.”