The Kaplan Languages Group also has more than 100 university and college partners in the United States.
A British investment group has acquired Kaplan’s language-learning platform, Kaplan Languages Group.
According to a news release from Inspirit Capital, all the conditions for the sale have been met, and the deal is expected to be finalized May 1. The private companies did not disclose the value of the sale.
Founded in 1938, Kaplan Inc. provides education services to students, professionals, universities and businesses, including test preparation, online learning and language training. Since 2006, KLG—which is composed of Kaplan International Languages, Alpadia Language Schools, Azurlingua and ESL Education—has delivered language education to more than 20 language schools in eight countries and maintains a portfolio of 200-plus partner destinations across the globe.
KLG also has more than 100 university and college partners in the United Sates and more than 20 additional partners in Canada for its University Placement Service, which helps students through the application process.
In an interview with PIE News, David Jones, Kaplan’s CEO, said the decision to sell KLG to Inspirit Capital was “tremendously difficult” and came after the company’s recent decision to focus on its portfolio of higher education institutions and finance and accounting professionals.
“The time really felt right to find a new owner for Kaplan Languages—an owner that might give it the attention that it deserves going forward,” he told the outlet. “We’ve got real hopes that Inspirit’s plans for investment and growth will pay dividends in the coming years, and that there’ll be a great future for our staff.”
Paul Youens, investment director for Inspirit Capital, said in the release that the private equity firm is “focused on giving the business the support and independence it needs to build on [KLG’s strong] foundation” and that “students, families and agents can expect continuity and consistency—the same high-quality schools, experienced teams and strong standards of education, safety and student care—alongside the continued delivery of established programs and support services.”
Kaplan isn’t the only higher education service provider to narrow its offerings as of late. Last fall, the education-technology behemoth Anthology Inc. filed bankruptcy after years of chasing acquisitions and mergers and sold its enterprise operations, life-cycle engagement and student success businesses to focus on its learning management system, Blackboard.
