Bladerunner, the corporate health and fitness provider, has acquired Body & Mind, the operator of dual use sporting facilities at schools and colleges.

The takeover, for an undisclosed sum, signals Bladerunner’s expansion into the education market.

The company will take on all of Body & Mind’s contracts to manage sports and fitness centres within schools using its existing corporate business model as a basis to improve facilities and ensure students get priority use but that income can be raised through their out of school hours use as private health clubs.

David Brame, chief executive of Bladerunner, said: “Given the government’s drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health, we believe that the education market will see substantial growth over the next five years as schools, colleges and universities invest in their sports and leisure facilities.”

Keith Osborne, the former managing director of Body & Mind, said: “Dual use of school facilities used to mean chewing-gum in the changing room, but no longer.

“Over the past five years, we have developed a sound business model for educational establishments. With the assistance of the various grants which are available, schools and colleges can enhance and extend their sports facilities and use them over subsequent years to generate income and get a significant return on their original investment. At the same time, local people gain a top-class fitness facility outside of school hours in what is often the hug of their community.”

Following the acquisition, Osborne now heads Bladerunner’s new educational division, which manages the Body & Mind contracts at Liverpool College; Canterbury High School; Alder Community High School, Hyde; Kingston College, Kingston-upon-Thames and Abbs Cross School, Hornchurch.