Braeburn Schools has reached a deal to buy the prestigious Hillcrest International schools inclusive of the kindergarten, preparatory and secondary schools.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, January 25, Hillcrest International Limited announced that the sale of the transaction would be completed by the beginning of the final term of the 2021/22 academic year.
"Hillcrest International Limited and its related company reached an in-principle agreement to sell the entire business and assets of Hillcrest Schools (Kindergarten, preparatory and secondary) to Braeburn Schools Limited (the Sale Transaction)," read the statement in part.
The sale transaction is, however, subject to various conditions such as due diligence by Braeburn, negotiation of formal agreements, and parties obtaining all regulatory approvals, including those from the Ministry of Education and the Competition Authority of Kenya.
"Braeburn Group of International Schools is a well-established group of co-educational international schools offering international curricula in Kenya and Tanzania. Braeburn operates nine schools under the Braeburn and Braeside names."
The statement affirmed that Braeburn would, however, retain the Hillcrest brand name after the acquisition.
"As one of the longest established and stable operation of schools in Kenya, Braeburn will appraise and evaluate current operations and standards such that a long-term strategic plan can be developed and implemented for Hillcrest Schools. This process will involve consultations with key stakeholders," read part of the statement.
The Hillcrest management, however, affirmed that learning would not be disrupted during the transition process.
Braeburn's founder, Terry Childs, affirmed that adding Hillcrest would ensure that they offered the greatest quality international curriculum in the country.
"We at Braeburn are very excited at the prospect of adding the Hillcrest Schools to the Braeburn which has a proud 42-year history of growing and improving schools. Students, parents and staff can look forward to a smooth transition and a progressive world-class international school aimed at not just our current children, but their children as well," Childs stated.
The transition of Hillcrest International will mark the third change in the ownership of the school in the past eleven years. Previously, the school was owned by Dubai-based GEMS, which purchased Hillcrest from a private equity firm, Fanisi Capital.
Founded in the 1960s, Hillcrest was later purchased by the late Kenneth Matiba in 1974.
