Nord Anglia looks to future

In a statement giving a year-end update to shareholders, the company said that the outlook for the new financial year was 'positive'. It said, 'The directors anticipate a substantially increased contribution from the nursery division in the new financial year, reflecting the maturing profile of the group's portfolio.'

Nord Anglia Education chief executive Andrew Fitzmaurice said that the majority of the capital is employed in the company's nursery division and anticipated that it would produce 'the highest proportion of earnings for the business'.

Kevin McNeany, who founded Nord Anglia in 1972, is now non-executive chairman. Nord Anglia said that Derek Mapp, former executive chairman of Leapfrog, had made 'a significant contribution to the integration process'.

Nord Anglia intends to re-brand all its nurseries as Leapfrog Day Nurseries and announced two weeks ago that its new head office will be based at Burton on Trent, the previous headquarters for Leapfrog. The move has created more than 20 new jobs in recruitment, marketing, training, human resources, property, finance and administration.

Tracey Storey, previously operations and HR director for Leapfrog, has assumed responsibility for Nord Anglia's nursery operations. She said, 'Leap- frog has been established in Burton for over six years and we are delighted that the new nursery division is to be based here. The move will create a need for a range of new positions in all areas of the business.'