How Wetherby School – made famous by Princess Diana – has become part of one man’s global education empire

Upscale private schools in swanky neighbourhoods attract the offspring of the rich and famous – even royal children have to go somewhere.

One of them is the exclusive Wetherby Prep school in Notting Hill, London, which was attended by Princes William and Harry, as well as the Beckhams’ sons Romeo and Cruz.

The elite boys school – which is rumoured to cost their moneyed parents a minimum of £8,000 a term – first became high profile back in the 80s, when Princess Diana was famously snapped on a school run with the the boys all dressed up in uniforms of grey and red felt blazers.

Wetherby was founded in 1951 and has since also gone on to welcome famous alumni like Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark, Hugh Grant and Julian Lloyd Webber.

Places continue to be highly sought after, and the news that Nadim Nsouli, founder of premium school group Inspired, had acquired the school in June means it really is now on the global map. 

Nadim has created a multi-billion empire of global premium schools. He now controls over 100 schools that play home to 80,000 pupils around the world. (Pictured: A General View Of Wetherby Prep School 11 Pembridge Square London)

In an interview on his website, he spoke of Inspired’s reputation for acquiring the best. He said: ‘I know what my product is: premium education. 

‘We’re charging high fees and we have many competitors. Therefore, teachers have to be top, heads the best and facilities state of the art. 

‘I believe that Inspired has the best school brands in the sector. The results of our top-ranking schools across the world speak for themselves’. 

David and Victoria Beckham’s sons also attended the exclusive pre-prep school, which was recently acquired by Inspired (Pictured: David Beckham (centre) and children Romeo James Beckham (left) and Cruz David Beckham (right)

Nsouli, 54, has created a multi-billion empire of global premium schools, a telling journey that began with four schools in South Africa ten years ago, reports The Times. 

The proud father-of-four now controls over 100 schools that play home to 80,000 pupils around the world.

Belonging to New York’s Georgetown alumni, he began his career as a lawyer in 1994 before joining the media and telecommunications teams at prestigious investment banking firms J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley in London. 

He also founded venture capital firm Lago Ventures, and later became a managing director at Providence Equity Partners, before founding Inspired in 2013 – which has grown rapidly to acquire top schools across the US, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Although climactic, Nadim’s business wins have been marked with a painstaking tragedy.

Nadim Nsouli (pictured), 54, acquired Wetherby Prep school in London in June. The private pre-prep school in West London was once attended by many royals including princes William and Harry, and Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark

Married to his wife Simone, the couple share four children: Lyla, Zeyd, Aidan and Liv.

However, in 2011, the couple received the devastating news that their firstborn, Lyla, had brain cancer.

Aged just two-and-a-half, Lyla was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an untreatable, aggressive brain cancer and given only months to live, states the Lyla Nsouli foundation – which was set up in her honour.

Lyla passed away from her illness in the arms of her parents in January 2012. 

‘In reality, we had no indication that something was wrong until the devastating diagnosis’ said her parents. ‘We miss her terribly. She was truly our pride and joy’.

The tragedy has inspired Nadim’s philanthropic efforts, with the foundation now providing funding to various cancer research institutes.