Skillsoft Announces Completion of Acquisition by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP
DUBLIN & NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SSILuxco S.a.r.l., an indirect parent company of Skillsoft Limited (“Skillsoft”), a pioneer in the field of technology-delivered learning with a long history of innovation and delivery of solutions for its customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses, announced today that it has completed the sale of its subsidiaries to Pointwell Limited, an entity indirectly owned by funds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP (“Charterhouse”). Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
“Skillsoft is excited to announce the closing of this transaction,” said Chuck Moran, CEO of Skillsoft. “We have enjoyed four successful years with the support of Berkshire Partners, Bain Capital and Advent International, and are looking forward to building on that success with the team at Charterhouse.”
“Core to our investment philosophy is partnering with incumbent management teams, and we are fortunate to be backing one of the strongest teams in the business,” said Frank van den Bosch, a partner at Charterhouse. “We will work closely in support of management’s efforts to continue to deliver industry leading learning solutions to its customers and drive the growth of the business.”
Skillsoft will continue to be headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and be led by the current management team, including Mr. Moran as CEO.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Skillsoft. Ropes & Gray LLP acted as legal counsel to Skillsoft. Barclays acted as exclusive financial advisor to Pointwell Limited. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett acted as legal counsel to Pointwell Limited.
About Skillsoft
Skillsoft is a pioneer in the field of learning with a long history of innovation. Skillsoft provides cloud based learning solutions for its customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses. Skillsoft's customer support teams draw on a wealth of in-house experience and a comprehensive learning e-library to develop off-the-shelf and custom learning programs tailored to cost-effectively meet customer needs. Skillsoft's courses, books and videos have been developed by industry leading learning experts to ensure that they maximize business skills, performance, and talent development.
Skillsoft currently serves over 6,000 customers and more than 19,000,000 learners around the world. Skillsoft is on the web at www.Skillsoft.com.
Skillsoft courseware content described herein is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Skillsoft has no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release, upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.
Skillsoft, the Skillsoft logo, Skillport, Search & Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide, Dialogue, Quickskill and inGenius are trademarks or registered trademarks of Skillsoft Ireland Limited in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP
Charterhouse is one of the oldest Private Equity funds in Europe having been investing in management buyouts since the 1980s. Since then, Charterhouse has completed 138 transactions with an aggregate value of EUR 50 billion. Today Charterhouse is investing from its ninth fund of EUR 4 billion and focuses on backing managers of outstanding businesses to achieve their growth plans. For additional information please visit: www.charterhouse.co.uk
About Berkshire Partners
Berkshire Partners, the Boston-based investment firm, has invested in over 100 middle market companies since 1986 through eight private equity funds with aggregate capital commitments of $11 billion. Berkshire has developed specific industry experience in several areas including consumer products and retail, business services, industrial manufacturing, transportation and communications. Berkshire has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests with the goal of consistently achieving superior investment returns. The firm is currently investing from Berkshire Fund VIII, a $4.5 billion fund raised in 2011. Berkshire seeks to invest $50 million to $500 million of equity capital in each portfolio company. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.
About Bain Capital Private Equity
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital one of the world’s foremost privately-held alternative investment firms, with more than $75 billion of assets under management. With deep experience investing in and building businesses around the world, the firm has made private equity, growth, and venture capital investments in over 450 companies, across a variety of industries including consumer/retail, financial services and institutions, healthcare, industrials, and technology, media and telecommunications. The firm has a strong track record of investments in leading software, business services and education businesses. Bain Capital has offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, Palo Alto, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Melbourne.
For more information please visit http://www.baincapitalprivateequity.com/.
About Advent International
Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global investors dedicated solely to private equity. Since inception, the firm has invested in more than 280 buyout transactions in 39 countries and today has $32.0 billion in assets under management. With offices on four continents, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 170 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on growth and traditional buyout and strategic repositioning transactions across five core sectors, including business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecoms. After 30 years dedicated to international investing, Advent remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.adventinternational.com.
Skillsoft
Tom McDonald
Chief Financial Officer
(603)
324-3000, x4232
Source: Skillsoft
Released April 28, 2014