Happy Days Nursery Chain Expands with South West Venture Capitalist
24th December 2003
As a direct result of the involvement by Devon & Cornwall Business Link, a small Day Nursery in Cornwall has undergone radical changes over recent years, making it one of the largest childcare providers in the South West. Happy Days Director, Robin Karkeek remarked, "About 4 years ago we needed professional help to achieve a very specific Business Plan of expansion. Business Link provided us with a first class Business Consultant, Colin Robson of First Venture, who has tuned our organisation into becoming a far more efficient and proactive business. We then moved from being a single operation small business, employing 10 staff, to a multi- operational Company, now employing over 100 people".
Happy Days Operations Director, Sarah Karkeek, reflected on the support received throughout the journey to success: "It's been a real challenge given what we have had to learn, and then put into practice in such a short time, but having the full support of Business Link provided us with reference points and milestones through which we were able to extend and judge ourselves. We are now coming up for our 4th re-recognition of 'Investors in People' and more recently, were proud to announce our involvement with 'Business in the Community', who recognised our work through a Certificate of Commendation in the Neighbourhood Renewal Category of their Community Impact Awards, as well as flattering us with the Lloyds TSB Small Business Award for the South West".
On the back of this success, Happy Days secured equity funding from the South West Ventures Fund, managed by YFM Venture Finance Ltd to assist the business through a pro-active expansion campaign over the coming year. The fund was launched in December 2002 and is designed to provide small and medium sized enterprises with capital funding to aid their strategic growth.
Keith Masson, Managing Director of YFM Venture Finance South West stated "We are delighted to be working with such an exciting Company within a growing sector. It is our first investment in Cornwall and we hope to see other opportunities from the county in the coming year".
Robin Karkeek engaged a team of professionals to negotiate the deal and commented, "Given the importance of the task that faced us, It was imperative to engage professionals that deliver effectively. We would extend our acknowledgment and thanks to the team of solicitors consisting of Foot-Ansty-Sargent, Michelmores, and Nalders, as well as to our accountants, Winter Rule".
All the Staff and Directors of Happy Days South West Limited welcomed their new partners during the Christmas celebrations. Nursery Manger, Emma Best said, "I know that the interest and support shown to the Nurseries from YFM Venture Finance Ltd has been received well by all staff. We all had an official briefing and got together at a hotel in November, so we all knew what to expect. It really is an exciting time, allowing us to offer a wider and better service to parents and children often from disadvantaged areas".
On a lighter note, Happy Days were invited to London in December to support a member of staff and nominee, for Nursery Personality of the Year held by the Nursery Management Today magazine. Karl Thomson, from Happy Days, delighted his colleagues by bringing the trophy back with him to Cornwall.
Colin Robson of First Venture said, "It's really rewarding to work with a Company that takes on professional advice and uses it to go forward so successfully. Through recommendation by Business Link I immediately recognised the potential of the people involved at Happy Days and am proud of them all".