Bridges Care and Education: specialist educational needs schools (UK)

9/2/22
5 min
Social care
Case study

About Bridges Care and Education (BCE)

Bridges Care and Education (trading as Spaghetti Bridge), is an operator of SEND schools and caters to students with a range of special educational needs, including associated challenging behaviours. All students have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Downing’s relationship with BCE

Through its proprietary network of contacts, Downing identified and partnered with an experienced management team to establish a leading specialist education platform in the UK.  

BCE was established in early 2020 with the acquisition of the group’s first school site, Silver Bridge School in Taunton (Somerset), which opened later that year. BCE has since opened three further schools in the Southwest and is progressing other expansion opportunities.  

Downing’s value add

The investment into BCE is at the heart of what drives Downing's investment ethos - a commitment to the growth and development of UK-based businesses providing social good in underserved markets. During the partnership with Bridges, Downing has demonstrated a number of value-add activities, including:

  • Ability to identify and partner with an excellent management team by using our extensive proprietary network of contacts
  • Put in place a bespoke funding solution that creates alignment with management and provides capital for growth opportunities
  • Provide access to our network of brokers to help identify and secure growth opportunities
  • Provide access to Downing’s in-house resources, including our construction director, head of ESG, legal team and investment team
  • Help determine the strategic direction of the group, including setting out the growth strategy and supporting the growth of the central team
  • Quick decision making that helped the group capitalise on opportunities for growth

The future for Bridges Care and Education

Through BCE, we are proud to be supporting some of the more vulnerable children in our society by providing them with specialist support and education. With that in mind, Downing intends to continue to support BCE to grow organically or through M&A (mergers and acquisitions). We aim to establish BCE as a leading, national provider of specialist education.  

Dan Alipaz, CEO of BCE commented: “We wanted a partner who shared our values and our vision for delivering the very highest quality SEND services – and the Downing team were the perfect fit. Together, with our colleagues at BCE, I am confident that we can grow a group of truly outstanding SEN schools and support services across the southwest. These schools will serve the children and young people who too often have to fight too hard to access the education they need and deserve.”

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About Bridges Care and Education (BCE)

Bridges Care and Education (trading as Spaghetti Bridge), is an operator of SEND schools and caters to students with a range of special educational needs, including associated challenging behaviours. All students have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Downing’s relationship with BCE

Through its proprietary network of contacts, Downing identified and partnered with an experienced management team to establish a leading specialist education platform in the UK.  

BCE was established in early 2020 with the acquisition of the group’s first school site, Silver Bridge School in Taunton (Somerset), which opened later that year. BCE has since opened three further schools in the Southwest and is progressing other expansion opportunities.  

Downing’s value add

The investment into BCE is at the heart of what drives Downing's investment ethos - a commitment to the growth and development of UK-based businesses providing social good in underserved markets. During the partnership with Bridges, Downing has demonstrated a number of value-add activities, including:

  • Ability to identify and partner with an excellent management team by using our extensive proprietary network of contacts
  • Put in place a bespoke funding solution that creates alignment with management and provides capital for growth opportunities
  • Provide access to our network of brokers to help identify and secure growth opportunities
  • Provide access to Downing’s in-house resources, including our construction director, head of ESG, legal team and investment team
  • Help determine the strategic direction of the group, including setting out the growth strategy and supporting the growth of the central team
  • Quick decision making that helped the group capitalise on opportunities for growth

The future for Bridges Care and Education

Through BCE, we are proud to be supporting some of the more vulnerable children in our society by providing them with specialist support and education. With that in mind, Downing intends to continue to support BCE to grow organically or through M&A (mergers and acquisitions). We aim to establish BCE as a leading, national provider of specialist education.  

Dan Alipaz, CEO of BCE commented: “We wanted a partner who shared our values and our vision for delivering the very highest quality SEND services – and the Downing team were the perfect fit. Together, with our colleagues at BCE, I am confident that we can grow a group of truly outstanding SEN schools and support services across the southwest. These schools will serve the children and young people who too often have to fight too hard to access the education they need and deserve.”

We are delighted to announce that Mark Gross, Partner and Head of Development Capital, has been named Equity Investor of the year at the HealthInvestor Power List 2024 Awards.

Following Mark’s achievement last year when he won the “Leading Investor” award at HealthInvestor’s Power50, this year’s win further highlights his continued success and expertise in investing across the healthcare sector. 

The judges praised Mark for finding success both in value and volume this year, delivering good returns and growth. They were impressed by how Mark has continued to strengthen a strong track record with further growth in the team and new funds securing further backing. We extend our thanks to Mark and the Downing Development Capital team for their continued dedication and support in expanding our healthcare investment activities with a focus on quality, performance and reputation. 

Congratulations Mark!

Development Capital  

Downing Development Capital is an award-winning investor focused on investment opportunities into asset-backed operating businesses with downside protection. Typical sectors they invest in include healthcare, specialist education, hospitality, leisure and IT infrastructure.

Learn more about our Development Capital team

About Bridges Care and Education (BCE)

Bridges Care and Education (trading as Spaghetti Bridge), is an operator of SEND schools and caters to students with a range of special educational needs, including associated challenging behaviours. All students have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Downing’s relationship with BCE

Through its proprietary network of contacts, Downing identified and partnered with an experienced management team to establish a leading specialist education platform in the UK.  

BCE was established in early 2020 with the acquisition of the group’s first school site, Silver Bridge School in Taunton (Somerset), which opened later that year. BCE has since opened three further schools in the Southwest and is progressing other expansion opportunities.  

Downing’s value add

The investment into BCE is at the heart of what drives Downing's investment ethos - a commitment to the growth and development of UK-based businesses providing social good in underserved markets. During the partnership with Bridges, Downing has demonstrated a number of value-add activities, including:

  • Ability to identify and partner with an excellent management team by using our extensive proprietary network of contacts
  • Put in place a bespoke funding solution that creates alignment with management and provides capital for growth opportunities
  • Provide access to our network of brokers to help identify and secure growth opportunities
  • Provide access to Downing’s in-house resources, including our construction director, head of ESG, legal team and investment team
  • Help determine the strategic direction of the group, including setting out the growth strategy and supporting the growth of the central team
  • Quick decision making that helped the group capitalise on opportunities for growth

The future for Bridges Care and Education

Through BCE, we are proud to be supporting some of the more vulnerable children in our society by providing them with specialist support and education. With that in mind, Downing intends to continue to support BCE to grow organically or through M&A (mergers and acquisitions). We aim to establish BCE as a leading, national provider of specialist education.  

Dan Alipaz, CEO of BCE commented: “We wanted a partner who shared our values and our vision for delivering the very highest quality SEND services – and the Downing team were the perfect fit. Together, with our colleagues at BCE, I am confident that we can grow a group of truly outstanding SEN schools and support services across the southwest. These schools will serve the children and young people who too often have to fight too hard to access the education they need and deserve.”

Downing's Mysa Care continues to grow specialist care business
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Torsten Mack, Investment Director at Downing, said:

"We are proud to support this exceptional management team, whose strong track record positions them well to build a new business in dementia care. This needs-based sector is underpinned by a lack of quality supply and we are investing in Fortava Healthcare to set and deliver high standards, and to help make a difference."

Johann van Zyl, CEO at Fortava, added:

"I’m thrilled to be working with Jamie, as we share the same values. We plan to grow Fortava into a leading provider of dementia care over the next five to seven years. But growth isn’t our primary focus—our goal is to deliver outstanding care and foster a joyful, supportive environment for both residents and staff. We’re delighted to be partnering with Downing who also share our values and we look forward to this journey with them."

Jamie Stuart, CFO at Fortava, commented:

“For me, it's about being more than just another care home provider. While dementia care in the UK is generally of a good standard, we want to set ourselves apart with a fresh approach. That’s why, after over 25 years in banking, I chose to partner with Johann and Downing on this venture.”

About Bridges Care and Education (BCE)

Bridges Care and Education (trading as Spaghetti Bridge), is an operator of SEND schools and caters to students with a range of special educational needs, including associated challenging behaviours. All students have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Downing’s relationship with BCE

Through its proprietary network of contacts, Downing identified and partnered with an experienced management team to establish a leading specialist education platform in the UK.  

BCE was established in early 2020 with the acquisition of the group’s first school site, Silver Bridge School in Taunton (Somerset), which opened later that year. BCE has since opened three further schools in the Southwest and is progressing other expansion opportunities.  

Downing’s value add

The investment into BCE is at the heart of what drives Downing's investment ethos - a commitment to the growth and development of UK-based businesses providing social good in underserved markets. During the partnership with Bridges, Downing has demonstrated a number of value-add activities, including:

  • Ability to identify and partner with an excellent management team by using our extensive proprietary network of contacts
  • Put in place a bespoke funding solution that creates alignment with management and provides capital for growth opportunities
  • Provide access to our network of brokers to help identify and secure growth opportunities
  • Provide access to Downing’s in-house resources, including our construction director, head of ESG, legal team and investment team
  • Help determine the strategic direction of the group, including setting out the growth strategy and supporting the growth of the central team
  • Quick decision making that helped the group capitalise on opportunities for growth

The future for Bridges Care and Education

Through BCE, we are proud to be supporting some of the more vulnerable children in our society by providing them with specialist support and education. With that in mind, Downing intends to continue to support BCE to grow organically or through M&A (mergers and acquisitions). We aim to establish BCE as a leading, national provider of specialist education.  

Dan Alipaz, CEO of BCE commented: “We wanted a partner who shared our values and our vision for delivering the very highest quality SEND services – and the Downing team were the perfect fit. Together, with our colleagues at BCE, I am confident that we can grow a group of truly outstanding SEN schools and support services across the southwest. These schools will serve the children and young people who too often have to fight too hard to access the education they need and deserve.”

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