Phuket international school eyed for takeover

PHUKET: The British International School Phuket (BISP) is in talks with global education provider Nord Anglia, which is making a bid to take over the school’s operations.

In a letter addressed to parents last week, BIS CEO Apiwat Ourairat stated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the school and Nord Anglia over the potential lease of the operating entity of the school.

The letter explained that due diligence was underway and that the outcome was currently being negotiated. It was clarified that ownership of the school would remain with the existing company and that a portion of funds from any potential lease would be reinvested in significant upgrades to the facility.

Nord Anglia was founded in the UK and has headquarters in Hong Kong. The conglomerate has 42 international institutions under its umbrella in Asia, Europe, the US and the Middle East. The company is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

International schools in Thailand that are in the Nord Anglia network include St Andrews International School Bangkok and Regents International School Pattaya. Other schools are located in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, North America, Switzerland and Spain.

Two weeks ago, Thanyapura announced that Phuket International Academy is joining the United World College group of international schools in a bid to attract more students and raise the bar on education generally in Phuket (store here).

The continued growth of the international school market in Phuket was reflected in a recent C9 Hotelworks report, indicating positive investment sentiment in the sector among large international groups (story here).

Bill Barnett is the Founder and Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks (C9Hotelworks.com), a leading hospitality and real estate consulting firm based in Phuket and operating throughout Southeast Asia.

— Bill Barnett