Founded by Mark Birnie and Melissa Kumar, M2, which has offices in Newcastle and Preston, places teachers, teaching assistants and tutors on a permanent and temporary basis into primary, secondary and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) establishments. The business focuses on three regions: Newcastle, Cumbria and Lancashire.

Humly is a tech-focused education staffing company, which helps schools access skilled and qualified teachers and teaching assistants, utilising an efficient, automated platform.

As a result of the acquisition, Humly will overlay its technology into M2 Education’s operations to serve existing and new clients to enhance overall user experience and increase efficiencies for both education establishments and candidates.

The business will be run day-to-day by its existing management team, working in close collaboration with Humly. The founders will remain with the business for a defined handover period before their exit.

Advising the founders on the sale of M2 Education was RG Corporate Finance, led by partner and head of corporate finance Carl Swansbury, supported by CF manager Adam Tindale and CF executive Ben Kain.

Legal advice was provided by Durham-based Swinburne Maddison, led by corporate and commercial partner Craig Malarkey, with tax advice from MHA Moor and Smalley.

Financial due diligence was undertaken on behalf of Humly by BDO, with legal advice from White & Black Solicitors.

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