
Montagu set to buy College of Law
Mid-market investor Montagu Private Equity is set to acquire prestigious London law school College of Law, according to reports in EducationInvestor.
Education provider Pearson and Providence Private Equity had been rumoured to be the most probable acquirers of the college. Market sources have confirmed that Montagu has recently been in talks with the college and offered a far higher valuation than its competitors.
The college is currently a charity and owns a portfolio of real estate in central London and other major cities. Founded in 1962, it received its Royal Charter in 1975 and in 2006 became the first independent institution with degree awarding powers.
The college announced a strategic review in early September, looking towards a potential sale which would render it a for-profit institution to compete with rival BPP.
Montagu is said to have been looking for a platform to invest in the UK higher education sector. The firm typically focuses on deals between €100m and €1bn, but also has the capacity to be involved in larger co-investments. The private equity house currently has just under €3bn of funds under management.
Hawkpoint is advising on the transaction.
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