We have advised Elmsley Capital and Westerly Group on their investment in the world’s largest baby and toddler swim school, Water Babies.
The transaction represents the co-investment in Water Babies by US-based Elmsley Capital and Westerly Group, which are both firms backed by permanent family capital that provide long-term support to growing businesses with a focus on those in children’s education. The two have a successful track record of investment partnerships and are well positioned to support Water Babies through its next phase of growth, with an emphasis on further US expansion.
Founded in 2002, Water Babies is the world’s largest baby swim school, with a network of family-run franchise businesses across the UK, Ireland, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, China, and the United States. Co-founder of Water Babies Paul Thompson will remain with the business as a non-executive board director, while Brian Burke, managing partner of Elmsley, and Ross Brendel, managing partner of Westerly will join the company’s Board of Directors.
Gateley Legal’s team was led by partner and London head of corporate Zum Mohammed, supported by corporate senior associate Enes Ilgun, corporate associate Hannah Hogarth, corporate solicitor Paige Richardson, tax partner Bernhard Gilbey, tax senior associates Anamika Pandey and David Williams, banking partner John Hayward and banking solicitor Jordan Powell.
Zum Mohammed commented: “We are thrilled to have advised Elmsley Capital and Westerly Group on their co-investment in Water Babies. Our Corporate team has extensive expertise in acting on cross-border private investments, and this transaction highlights our ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional investment structures efficiently. We look forward to seeing Elmsley and Westerly thrive as co-investors as they lead Water Babies through its next phase of growth.”