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Oxford International strengthens its position as a premier education provider.

Oxford International strengthens its position as a premier university partnerships, digital education, and language provider through a management buyout backed by THI Investments and the sale of its schools division to Nord Anglia Education.

  • THI Investments as a new investment partner will strengthen Oxford International’s position as a premier university partnerships, digital education, and language provider
  • Nord Anglia Education, a leading global schools group, is acquiring Oxford International’s schools division
  • These transactions represent a successful exit for Bowmark Capital

Oxford International is pleased to announce the management buy-out of its university partnerships, online learning and languages businesses, backed by THI Investments (“THI”), a pan-European private equity investor with a growing portfolio of education businesses.  THI brings financial resources and operational expertise to enable Oxford International to continue to grow and deepen relationships with new and existing university partners and to invest in new online products and services and complementary acquisitions to reach and enrich a growing global base of learners.

At the same time, Oxford International is selling its schools division to Nord Anglia Education, one of the world’s leading premium international schools organisations. The schools’ division comprises three top-performing independent schools: Oxford International College, d’Overbroeck’s and Oxford Sixth Form College, along with the academic short courses provider, Bucksmore Education. 

These transactions are very positive for the future of Oxford International, its partners and students, and represent a successful exit for Bowmark Capital.

Oxford International’s launch of the OI Digital Institute and European partnership with Jacobs University in 2020 has further developed the international education sector online and in Europe.  Courses offered in the OI Digital Institute have supported over 5,000 students in achieving UK university admissions and delivered unrivalled partner services for higher education institutions. Online courses include the English Language Level Test (ELLT), a remote alternative to IELTS, Pre-sessional English, Pre-Masters in Business and Management, PhD preparation and more.

The university partnerships division is set to launch a new UK pathways collaboration in early spring 2021, while its first partnership with De Montfort University anticipates 1,000 international students enrolled and on course by April this year.  The English Language division, which opened its latest language school in North America, continues to enrich their academic offering by equipping students with language skills necessary for the modern-day learner.

THI’s investment will support Oxford International’s strategy to expand the breadth and reach of its already outstanding and sector-leading digital offering, offer additional value-added services to existing partners and forge new partnerships across Asia and North America, creating attractive opportunities for students worldwide.  With offices in London and Stuttgart, THI Investments has total assets under management of €1.8bn and a growing portfolio of education businesses. This includes Corndel (the UK’s leading management and digital skills training provider) and Learnship (a US and German based digital English language learning business).  

Lil Bremermann-Richard, Oxford International’s Group Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“We are excited about the future for both parts of our business following the transactions with THI and Nord Anglia.  I am proud of what our schools and colleges team have achieved and I am confident they will continue to thrive with Nord Anglia’s guidance.  I would also like to thank Bowmark for all their support over the past seven years during which time our revenues have more than doubled and profitability has tripled.  

Our future with THI is full of opportunities, with investment accelerating our growth and strategic plan.  THI is a great fit and will enable us to expand our offering and continue to deliver the exceptional services that our partners and students know and trust.”

Edmund Buckley, Managing Director Private Equity, THI commented:

“This is an exciting time to be investing in education, a sector undergoing dynamic change and one which we know very well. Oxford International is an exceptional business with an attractive portfolio of online, hybrid and campus-based courses and numerous levers for growth. We look forward to working with Lil and her team, leveraging our financial, operational and industry expertise to invest in and grow the business, providing current and new partners with outstanding service and attracting students from around the world with high-quality educational opportunities.”

Bowmark Capital Partner, Simon Adcock, commented: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Lil, chairman Chris Spanoudakis and the management team during a period of significant investment, transformational change and sustained growth for Oxford International. We wish both businesses and their management teams every success in the future.”

Chris Spanoudakis, who is stepping down as Oxford International’s Executive Chairman, commented:

“The last few years have been a tremendously exciting journey, and I am proud to have been a part of Oxford International’s impressive growth and strategic development. In partnership with Bowmark, our significant achievements are a direct result of the passion and commitment of all of the team in Oxford International, and I have no doubt that under Nord Anglia’s ownership and separately Lil’s leadership, both parts of the Group will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Oxford International was advised by DC Advisory alongside CMS (legal), Deloitte (Tax) and PWC (financial due diligence).

ENDS

Media Enquiries:

Natasha Traynor

Chief Marketing Officer

Email: ntraynor@oxfordinternational.com

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