Bank/lender of the year

Judges will be looking for the bank that has best supported the sector, in both lending and transactional services. This could include traditional lending to operators and developers, as well as debt financing to orchestrators of leveraged buyouts and takeovers.

Broker – of education institutions

Judges will be looking for the broker that has negotiated successful sales of education businesses, creating value for both vendors and buyers.

Consultants – to education institutions

Judges will be looking for the best-in-class strategic consultancy that has consulted on a diverse range of matters for a host of operator clients, either in a private or public capacity.

Consultants – to the private sector

Judges will be looking for the best-in-class strategic consultancy that has advised on a diverse range of matters for clients in the private sector, including operators, consolidators and investors.

Financial advisor

Judges will be looking for the corporate finance house that has advised on a wide range of deals across numerous sub-sectors executed by a variety of investors.

Investor

Judges will be looking for the investor – be that private equity, independent or trade – that has executed successful and significant deals over the past 12 months.

Legal advisors – to deal-making

Judges will be looking for the law firm that has advised on a range of successful investments in, or takeovers of, education institutions over the past 12 months.

Legal advisors – to education institutions

Judges will be looking for the law firm that has advised education operators on a range of legal issues relating to their corporate strategies over the past 12 months.

Digital publisher

Judges will be looking for the online educational publisher that has developed a robust, diverse offering and rolled out new products to learners and clients over the past 12 months.

Pathway company of the year

Judges will be looking for the pathway provider that has continued to serve high volumes of students throughout the coronavirus pandemic, which has disrupted international student mobility and higher education provision.

Private education group of the year

Judges will be looking for the private education provider from any sub-sector that has reached significant strategic milestones over the past 12 months, despite disruptions ushered in by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Private tutoring company

Judges will be looking for the private tutoring company that has continued to assist students via online channels and innovative methods throughout a period in which schools and other educational centres have been closed due to social distancing measures. Face-to-face provision will also be taken into account.

Skills provider of the year

Judges will be looking for the apprenticeship or training provider that has pivoted successfully to new methods of delivery amid the pandemic, which forced brick-and-mortar training centres to close down for a prolonged period of time.

Ed tech firm of the year
Judges will be looking for the ed tech provider that has showcased innovation and growth throughout what continues to be a disruptive and challenging period for the education sector.

Education business services

Judges will be looking for back-office service providers to education companies that have helped streamline their operations throughout this challenging period in which provision and operations have been disrupted to an unprecedented extent.

ICT – platforms and applications

Judges will be looking for innovative software and service providers to education institutions of varying ilk that can demonstrate how the products improve learner outcomes or maximise efficiency in terms of operations.

Recruitment services

Judges will be looking for the recruitment firm that has continued to support clients by successfully sourcing and placing staff and/or managers and heads during a period in which having the right team has been more important than ever.

School improvement provider

Judges will be looking for the service provider that can demonstrate tangible improvements it has made to schools’ operations and/or learner outcomes.

Education business of the year

Judges will be looking for the education institution from any sub-sector that has continued to make waves throughout the pandemic, despite the widespread challenges it has presented.

Exporting excellence
Judges will be looking for the UK-based education provider that has successfully launched and/or scaled operations overseas.

Market entrant

Judges will be looking for a newcomer to the education sector that has entered the market in the past 18 months and established a foothold by winning a raft of new clients and making a difference to their strategies and/or operations.