Tuesday June 25th, 2024 -
By Tracey Storey, CEO of Melrose Education
My career journey has been a blend of human resources, training, education, and childcare. In the early stages, I focused on HR working for organisations such as Center Parcs, Mansfield Brewery, and Marston’s PLC, but in the late 1990s, I transitioned into the childcare sector with Leapfrog Day Nurseries where I was part of the management team of what was then a start-up. This shift was driven by my passion for working with people and making a tangible difference in their lives, and gave me invaluable experience of what life’s like in a fast-paced, scaling company. Leapfrog raised £29m to build and develop a new chain of 39 Leapfrog full day care nurseries. So, I learned a huge amount about how to successfully implement effective buy-and-build strategies – supported by the amazing team I worked with.
Over the years, I had the opportunity to help lead the growth of several nursery businesses, eventually joining the founding team of ICP Nurseries in 2016 with the ambition to build a group of nurseries in London and the South-East. The focus and strategy was to invest in good and outstanding settings starting with the acquisition of the first nursery in 2016. We went to OakNorth for funding in 2017 and were immediately impressed with the speed, transparency and flexibility with which they operate. They weren’t the cheapest funder available, but the quality of customer service and overall experience with them justified the premium price. We went back to OakNorth again over the years and by 2021, ICP had grown to 45 nurseries and had been named in the Top 20 Large Nursery Group in the UK for the 4th year running.
My decision to then delve into the SEND sector with Melrose Education stemmed from firsthand experiences working with SEND children in nurseries and schools. Observing the challenges faced by both the children and their parents in accessing quality education, I felt a strong desire to contribute to creating solutions. I wanted to be part of a system that ensures every child, regardless of their needs, receives the education they deserve.
Melrose Education stands out with its unique purpose, mission, vision, and values, which are all centred around inclusivity and excellence. Employing 266 staff members and educating over 400 children, our purpose is to equip every learner with the foundations necessary for lifelong success. We achieve this by providing inspirational and outstanding education in a positive, empathetic, and transformational environment.
- Mission: To deliver inspirational and outstanding education within a truly positive environment.
- Vision: To create inclusive schools where individuality and achievement are celebrated, ensuring every learner exceeds their potential.
- Values: We are committed to quality, integrity, empathy, equality, mutual respect, and trust.
Our relationship with OakNorth has been a cornerstone of our growth to date. Their support during the scaling phase of ICP Nurseries was instrumental, so it was a natural choice to continue this partnership with Melrose. OakNorth’s proactive and supportive approach to new and growing businesses has stood out. Their commitment to helping us achieve our goals has been unwavering, making them a valuable partner in our journey.
My career in childcare and education has been driven by a passion for making a difference in people’s lives. From my early days in HR to my current role at Melrose Education, each step has been motivated by a desire to support and empower young learners. With the backing of dedicated banking partners like OakNorth, we continue to strive towards creating inclusive, high-quality educational environments where every child can thrive.