Persbericht
MidOcean Partners Announces
Acquisition Of Global Knowledge Training
Leading Provider of IT And
Business Skills Training To Accelerate Growth Strategy
Nieuwegein, October 25, 2011 - MidOcean
Partners (“MidOcean”), a leading private equity firm, announced
today that it has acquired Global Knowledge, a worldwide leader in
IT and business skills training.
Based in Cary, NC, Global Knowledge was founded in 1995 and
today employs more than 1,300 people worldwide. The company
provides training solutions to enterprise and government
organizations and delivers courses via its global training centers,
private facilities, and the Internet. More than 250,000 students
receive instruction annually.
Brian Branson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Global
Knowledge who will continue in those positions, said, “Our new
relationship with MidOcean will enable us to accelerate our growth
plan and our response to the changing market needs for high quality
IT and business skills training. We look forward to working with
MidOcean to further develop and deliver innovative training
solutions.”
Mr. Branson and his senior management team will benefit from the
support of Jim Kelly who has been named Global Knowledge’s
Executive Chairman. Mr. Kelly is a senior executive who has worked
with MidOcean as a management resource to the firm and has
extensive experience in the business services and IT areas. He
served most recently as President of Global Payments, Inc. In
addition MidOcean has named Doug Fox, former Senior Vice President
of Marketing at Compaq to serve on the Global Knowledge Board of
Directors.
Tyler Zachem, a Managing Director at MidOcean Partners, said,
“We are very pleased to partner with the superb management team at
Global Knowledge. This investment provides us the opportunity to
support this exceptional company, which is well positioned to excel
in a fragmented but robust corporate training market. We believe
the company has tremendous growth prospects as the need for quality
technical training remains a critical component to IT and business
professionals at organizations of all sizes.”
The transaction was supported by BMO Capital Markets, acting as
financial advisor, and Ropes & Gray LLP, acting as legal
advisor to the seller. Morrison Cohen LLP acted as legal advisor to
MidOcean Partners.
About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is the worldwide leader in IT and business
skills training, with more than 1,200 courses that span
foundational and specialized training and certifications. Its core
training is focused on Cisco, Microsoft, Avaya, VMware, Red Hat,
business process improvement, and leadership development. Training
is offered through multiple delivery methods, ranging from
instructor-led to self-paced learning in classrooms or via the
Internet, enabling customers to choose when, where, and how they
want to receive training programs and learning services. For more
information, visit www.globalknowledge.com.
About MidOcean Partners
MidOcean Partners is a premier private equity firm headquartered
in New York focused on the middle market. MidOcean is committed to
investing in high quality companies with stable market positions
and multiple opportunities for growth. Targeted sectors include
consumer, media and communications, business and financial services
and industrial services. MidOcean utilizes a broad foundation of
expertise in its focus industries to create value for its investors
and partners. For more information, visit www.midoceanpartners.com.
More information:
Contact for Global Knowledge:
Nancy Enloe
Tel: +1 919 460 3267)
E-mail: nancy.enloe@globalknowledge.com
Contact for MidOcean:
Chris Tofalli
Tel: +1 914 834 4334