UK's largest childcare franchise appoints managing director to lead expansion

The UK's largest childcare franchise, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries has promoted Richard Blunden to take up the newly-created job of group managing director.

Richard Blunden, managing director at Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries. Credit: Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries

In his new role, Mr Blunden will lead expansion plans for the nursery franchise group, which was established in 2002 and owns 63 nursery settings.

"I’m really excited to take on this new challenge" said Mr Blunden, who joined Monkey Puzzle in July 2019 as franchise director.

'I've never had such passion'

The new group managing director will now work with owners Mark and Rebecca Crosby to set the strategic direction of the Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries franchise.

"I have never had such passion and motivation than during my time here at Monkey Puzzle," he said.

He went on to highlight his excitement to be "driving forward Mark and Rebecca’s vision of the business through dedicated, committed and happy staff and a professional and driven franchisee network."

'From day one' able to 'evolve our business'

Before joining Monkey Puzzle earlier this year, Mr Blunden spent seven years working for Volkswagen Group in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Created and run by husband and wife team, Mark and Rebecca Crosby, the Monkey Puzzle brand's beginnings go back to 1978, when the first nursery was opened in Cambridgeshire (trading as Ladybird Day Nursery).

Co-founder of Monkey Puzzle, Rebecca Crosby said: "From day one, Richard proved to us that he could help evolve our business and drive it forward.

"Our evolution is not about just growth, it’s about driving operational excellence and quality support into our fantastic network of franchisees and ensuring that everyone is best equipped to deliver outstanding and innovative childcare to parents’ most precious possessions – their children."

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