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MAT mergers

Use this guide to explore how multi academy trust mergers should be approached and what's involved.

Guidance
10/11/2025
connecting the dots vision

A merger combines two or more separate organisations into one single and distinct legal entity. Increasingly, small academy trusts are choosing to join (or merge) with bigger academy trusts. Merging represents a proactive step towards the future success of a MAT and the academies it maintains. We are seeing an increase in media attention focused on certain high profile MAT mergers which create sizeable MAT structures.

Mergers can provide a positive and strategic step forward to help realise an organisation’s vision and long-term sustainability. The process can be lengthy and complex; not all come to fruition.

This guide outlines the process for merging two MATs. It has been jointly developed by the National Governance Association and Browne Jacobson. Academy trust leaders and trustees can use this guide to:

  • explore why and how mergers are relevant to the education system in England today
  • understand how mergers can and should be approached in order to be successful
  • develop a shared understanding between trustees and trust leaders of the merger process and what’s involved

MAT mergers guidance

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MAT mergers

If you’re planning a MAT merger, we recommend getting in touch to discuss the support we can offer. This flexible service can begin as you explore merger options or when you’re ready to start the merger project. Our consultants are among the leading experts in MAT mergers from a governance perspective.

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