Nursery World - Board reshuffle at largest chain

The senior management team of the UK's largest nursery chain, Asquith Court, is to undergo a reshuffle next week. From 1 October, chairman Phil Phil Rhodes becomes the new chief executive, while Peter Aughterson, managing director of the group since 1993, will remain a director, focusing on the future strategic development of the business, including school and nursery acquisitions. Mr Aughterson will also explore the development of further partnerships following Asquith Court's joint venture with Jarvis plc to set up purpose-built nurseries alongside primary and secondary schools.

From 1 October, chairman Phil Phil Rhodes becomes the new chief executive, while Peter Aughterson, managing director of the group since 1993, will remain a director, focusing on the future strategic development of the business, including school and nursery acquisitions. Mr Aughterson will also explore the development of further partnerships following Asquith Court's joint venture with Jarvis plc to set up purpose-built nurseries alongside primary and secondary schools.

At a company update meeting earlier this month Mr Rhodes outlined a number of other developments over the past year, including a programme of investment in IT systems and the introduction of core curriculum documents across the group's independent schools. Asquith Court has also acquired the Downsend group in Leatherhead, Surrey, an independent preparatory school and three pre-preparatory schools.

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