Clare Roberts to take Rainmakers on remarkable Kids Planet journey

Clare Roberts will be telling the remarkable story at the Rainmakers of how she continues to build up her nursery business Kids Planet.

First backed by BGF in 2016, the nursery group was acquired by Fremman Capital, but having gone through significant investment to support an organic and acquisitive growth strategy, she knows plenty about follow-on rounds, as well as integrating a businesses once acquired.

Clare Roberts founded Kids Planet after struggling to find appropriate childcare following the birth of her first daughter. She quit her job in the pharmaceutical industry and launched the business, alongside her sister and father, who had previously run and sold a successful nursery chain. 

Now, the business includes 167 nurseries and is responsible for the care of over 20,000 children.

“BGF invested in August 2016 and provided several rounds of follow-on funding. When they first invested, we had 16 nurseries, and by the time they exited, we had 84,” she says.

“The plan is to get to 250 nurseries in five years. We want to keep growing through acquisitions while also developing new sites. Of course, it’s important to make sure we’re geared up for future growth so that we can absorb new sites and people aren’t too stretched.”

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So save the date for Rainmakers 2025 –  Wednesday 26 March, 2025 – and secure your place today. 

The Point, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.

The 2025 Rainmakers Conference is being supported by BGF, Dow Schofield Watts, NorthEdge, Palatine, Shawbrook, Squire Patton Boggs, while PHD Industrial Holdings is a breakout room partner.

Michael Taylor, editor at TheBusinessDesk.com said: “A great deal has been done behind the scenes to ensure the Rainmakers community – investors and advisors – continue to contribute to the prosperity of the North, under a new government.

“We have also developed our dedicated Rainmakers platform to bring lively commentary, investigations and exclusive interviews.

“This has been a game changer in shaping the level and quality of the conversation around the challenges and opportunities, and has given a voice to this community.

“In March 2025 TheBusinessDesk.com is returning with Rainmakers 2025 which promises to bring more opportunities to network, more amazing speakers, more candid debate, more inspiring entrepreneurs, but also a chance discuss the challenges of value creation.”

The first Rainmakers Conference this March sold out, with more than 400 people attending to hear the insights and perspectives from entrepreneurs, investors and advisors, and to network with senior figures from across the corporate finance community.

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Tickets:

Standard Ticket | £199
For finance professionals shaping deals, investments, and strategies in the corporate finance sector.

Industry Leader Ticket | £125 + VAT
For CEOs, CFOs, and senior management driving financial success in their industries.

Book your tickets today at www.rainmakersconference.co.uk