Water Babies, the baby and toddler swimming school, has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by US investors Elmsley Capital and Westerly Group.
The Devon-headquartered company was founded in 2002 by Paul Thompson and teaches more than 80,000 babies every year through a network of 70 franchise businesses across the 海角视频, Ireland, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, China and the US.
Ross Brendel, managing partner of Westerly, and Brian Burke, managing partner of Elmsley, will serve on the company’s board of directors following the deal. Mr Thompson will remain involved as non-executive director.
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Mr Thompson said: “There are many mixed emotions when selling the business you founded 22 years ago, but the overriding feeling is one of great excitement for the next chapter of Water Babies.
"It has a fabulous team, from top to bottom and a very special culture and it is now time for the next generation to shine with the excellent support of Ross and Brian; we could not have found better custodians.”
Water Babies has won numerous consumer awards and has established partnerships with bodies such as Swim England and the Royal Lifesaving Society. The business will remain operational in the 海角视频 following the deal.
The company's new owners have said there is "a significant opportunity" to expand the brand in the US following Water Babies' acquisition of a swim school in Seattle. The deal also follows updated 2019 guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending that formal swim lessons can start as early as age one.
Mr Brendel said: "From the moment we met Paul, Howard, and the broader team, it was clear there was a rare passion driving Water Babies. The immense focus on all stakeholders—children, parents, team members, and franchise owners—is what has allowed Water Babies to become a household name in swimming education.
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"We are honoured to be a part of continuing that legacy in the 海角视频, while bringing Water Babies exceptional offering to more families throughout the world.”
Howard Harrison, group chief executive of Water Babies, said bringing new ownership into Water Babies had been part of the company's strategy "for a long time".
"When we started this process we were keen to identify a strategic investor that could help us drive international growth and provide the support to take it to the next level," he said.
"With their support Water Babies can now look forward to a new exciting chapter. Paul Thompson has built a truly remarkable business and we are excited and ambitious about the potential to grow his vision globally.”