K&L Gates acts on $120m acquisition of childcare services provider

Global law firm K&L Gates has advised a wholly-owned subsidiary of China-based property management company Greentown Service Group on its acquisition of a majority interest in Montessori Academy Group at an enterprise value of $120m.

Montessori Academy is one of Australia's leading early-childhood education and childcare services providers, with 23 day-care centres currently operating throughout NSW. Following the transaction, Montessori Academy's original founders Charles and Colette Assaf will retain a substantial minority interest in the business as it pursues continued growth plans.

K&L Gates’ Sydney and Shanghai offices have been involved from the deal's inception approximately 12 months ago. Counsel Rong Fan managed the deal from Shanghai while Sydney corporate partners Nick Ramage and Daniel Atkin led in Australia. Sydney real estate partner Samuel Brown also advised on property aspects of the transaction, while Sydney finance partner Richard Gray advised on the establishment of a Greentown-funded line of credit to help drive Montessori Academy's continued expansion.

The team also included special counsel Michelle Summerville and Tracey Jordan, senior associates Simon Leslie, Simon Correggia, and Adam Moore, as well as lawyers Julia Kingston, Leon Fung, Eleni Brooks, and Victoria Cai.

"We have witnessed a real influx of M&A activity in the childcare and early education sector in Australia, and our team has been involved in several significant transactions in this space,” said Ramage. “It was particularly pleasing for us to have advised Greentown on this cross-border deal that will facilitate the Montessori Academy's future growth. Through K&L Gates' integrated global network, our Sydney and Shanghai teams were able to work closely and seamlessly to support our client in reaching a successful close to this transaction."