Dubai Holding Investments in consortium that buys UK school operator Nord Anglia Education

Dubai: A consortium that features Dubai Holding Investments has bought UK-headquartered Nord Anglia Education, which has more than 80 schools in 33 countries.

The deal, which values Nord Anglia at $14.5 billion, was led by EQT, a consortium of institutional investors that includes Neuberger Berman Private Markets, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Corporación Financiera Alba, and Dubai Holding Investments.

Nord Anglia Education operates four schools in the UAE - the Nord Anglia International Schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, The British International school Abu Dhabi, and the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai.

"This transaction marks a significant milestone in Nord Anglia’s evolution as a global leader in private international education," said a statement.

Nord Anglia schools has more than 90,000 students from ages 2 to 18, and with 'Year 12 graduates frequently accepted into the world’s top 100 universities'.

EQT also includes sovereign wealth funds, insurers, and family offices from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

EQT has been a partner to Nord Anglia since 2008 and 'strengthened its commitment' in 2017, when CPP Investments joined as an investor.

The consortium had also helped Nord Anglia engage in more than 21 acquisitions since 2017. Nord Anglia has also invested in digital initiatives during this period.