A new landscape
At Plethro Advisory, we’ve seen first-hand how mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the UK’s private higher education sector. Institutions are under increasing pressure to diversify revenue streams, respond to shifting student demand, and build the scale needed to remain competitive. M&A can be a powerful tool to achieve these goals – but only when executed with care and foresight.
Our work advising on recent transactions has shown that regulatory trust is the cornerstone of any successful deal. The Office for Students (OfS) and other stakeholders are rightly focused on protecting students, maintaining quality, and ensuring financial sustainability. Institutions that treat regulatory engagement as a strategic priority, rather than a late-stage hurdle, achieve smoother approvals and stronger long-term outcomes.
We encourage our clients to engage with regulators early, sharing transparent financial models, governance plans, and risk mitigations. This proactive approach allows concerns to be addressed before they become roadblocks and demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding student interests. When regulators can see that student experience, teaching quality, and institutional resilience are at the heart of the transaction, they are far more likely to support it.
Perhaps most importantly, we work with institutions to articulate a compelling narrative for the merger or acquisition – one that goes beyond financial synergies and shows how the deal will create real educational value. Whether it’s expanding access to underserved learners, enhancing employability outcomes, or investing in better student support services, this narrative helps regulators, staff, and students see the bigger picture.
Building Trust
Building trust with regulators is not just good compliance practice – it’s a critical component of value creation in the UK HE M&A landscape. By approaching transactions with transparency, accountability, and a student-first mindset, institutions can unlock the full potential of consolidation while strengthening the sector’s reputation.
At Plethro Advisory, we’re proud to help education leaders navigate this complex terrain and deliver deals that work for both investors and students.
“M&A in higher education isn’t just about financial engineering — it’s about creating better outcomes for students and preserving the public trust” - Dr Tola Adesina (CEO - Plethro Advisory)
We encourage our clients to engage with regulators early, sharing transparent financial models, governance plans, and risk mitigations. This proactive approach allows concerns to be addressed before they become roadblocks and demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding student interests. When regulators can see that student experience, teaching quality, and institutional resilience are at the heart of the transaction, they are far more likely to support it.
