Education M&A tax | Valuation services

Moore Kingston Smith advises Ama Capital on management buyout of Ivy House Learning

24 August 2026

Moore Kingston Smith has advised Ama Capital, a UK lower mid-market investment firm, on its majority management buyout (MBO) investment in Ivy House Learning Limited, a specialist leadership and development consultancy.

Founded in London in 2024, Ama Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm that combines deep sector expertise with hands-on support to help businesses achieve their next phase of growth.

Headquartered in Godalming, Surrey, Ivy House Learning is a specialist leadership and development consultancy that has trained more than 19,000 leaders across over 30 countries. The business designs and delivers bespoke programmes that help organisations create measurable, lasting change and develop more effective, human and future-ready leaders at every level.

Through this transaction, Ama Capital has acquired a majority stake in Ivy House Learning, backing a management buyout as part of its wider buy-and-build strategy. The investment will support Ivy House’s next phase of growth, including further expansion across the UK and internationally. The deal marks a significant milestone for the business as it transitions to investor-backed ownership, creating a platform for future organic growth and acquisitions.

The investment represents Ama Capital’s second UK platform investment and its first in the education and leadership development sector.

The completion of the MBO provides Ivy House with the investment, expertise and support required to accelerate its growth strategy. With Ama Capital’s backing, the business is well positioned to expand its leadership development offering, pursue strategic acquisitions and strengthen its presence in both UK and international markets.

Moore Kingston Smith’s M&A Tax team provided specialist tax structuring advice throughout the transaction, with the Valuations Services team providing support with management and sweet equity valuations.

Led by Tom Acland, Director, and supported by Sam Talbot, Senior Manager, the team worked closely with Ama Capital and the wider advisory group to design and implement a structure that met stakeholder requirements while supporting the commercial objectives of the investment. Despite a complex stakeholder landscape and a demanding timetable, the team successfully navigated key structuring considerations, enabling the transaction to complete smoothly and on schedule.

Ed Ransome, Founding Partner of Ama Capital, commented:

“Moore Kingston Smith provided commercially focused advice throughout the transaction. Their ability to navigate the tax structuring requirements and deliver practical solutions within a demanding timetable was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome. We were impressed by the team’s technical expertise, responsiveness and commitment to helping us complete the deal efficiently and effectively.”

Tom Acland, Director of Moore Kingston Smith, concluded:

“We are delighted to have supported Ama Capital on this important investment in Ivy House Learning. The transaction involved complex structuring considerations and a challenging timeframe, requiring close collaboration between all parties. By working proactively with Ama Capital and the wider advisory team, we were able to deliver a structure that met the needs of stakeholders while supporting the commercial objectives of the investment. We look forward to seeing Ivy House build on its strong reputation and achieve its next phase of growth under Ama Capital’s ownership.”