thought leadership by Richard Merriman Managing Director RP Merriman British & International Education Ltd
HOW INVESTMENT MIGRATION FIRMS CAN CAPITALISE ON CLIENTS’ DEMAND FOR EDUCATION he history of pandemics tells us they bring change! Changes that bring opportunities. Anne Keeling, Communications Director for ISC Research has reported on a growing interest in investor/school brand partnerships and new investment within the international school sector from high-net-worth individuals with philanthropic motivations often related to their alumnus connections or to their own international education experience. As for the market itself, Anne sees current trends focusing on the use of technology, particularly within teaching and learning as well as ‘well-being provision’ for the entire school community, and alternative routes to recruiting and upskilling teaching staff to meet the specific needs of international schools. The market as a whole hasn’t suffered significantly from the pandemic; in fact, new demand has come from families who no longer want to send their young children abroad to board and families who have seen how international schools responded quickly and effectively to distance learning needs and education provision throughout the pandemic. It remains clear from my engagement with the investment migration industry that few RCBI businesses have anything more than a superficial knowledge of the landscape of international education. There appears to be a paucity of understanding from many across the whole age profile from kindergartens to universities. As all RCBI businesses know, one of the primary motivating factors for clients in seeking second citizenship is to open educational opportunities for their dependents particularly in prestigious markets and marquee destinations, including the world-class UK Independent Schools market. What can RCBI consultants and advisories do to help themselves capture a bigger part of the immigration value chain? Currently, many businesses offer no educational advice. Some may generate certain ideas and links from within their organisation and others may refer the client to an educational agent or consultant for a small fee or retainer.
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THE CITIZEN
