Dealing with distress – Investing and operating in a turbulent environment
The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken the global education market to its core. In the K12 sector, specifically, across the world school groups and their investors face myriad operational challenges and mounting financial pressures.
Many pre-coronavirus trends – rising operational costs, growing competition, dwindling financial reserves and weakening commercial positions – have only been accelerated by the ongoing crisis. Some schools were unable to survive the first wave of the pandemic; those that remain now face a ‘second spike’ – and with it a raft of new complexities. What does all of this mean for K12 operators and the range of investors behind them?
EducationInvestor Global‘s editor, Josh O’Neill, hosts this webinar in partnership with Clyde & Co exploring various approaches to a distressed marketplace that is rife with opportunities and pitfalls in equal measure.
Key points of discussion:
Perspectives on cost management and internal restructuring
Distressed M&A and deal-making
Valuing distressed assets and pricing more generally
Strategies for non-performing assets
Private equity plays
Stock take on state of the global market
View the webinar recording here
One step further: Reshaping post-secondary education in response to Covid-19
As part of an ongoing series, EducationInvestor Global’s Business Women in Education network hosted a webinar focused on post-secondary education, the sector’s response to Covid-19, and how it could be re-moulded to better meet society’s post-pandemic needs.
The session, introduced by EducationInvestor Global editor Josh O’Neill, is chaired by Anna Grotberg, associate partner at EY-Parthenon, and brings together Kate Shand, chief executive of Enjoy Education; and Kathryn Skelton, chief transformation officer at FutureLearn. The founding members of the Business Women in Education network are joined by Professor Ray Priest, international director, Asia-Pacific and managing director of University West of England Educational Services; and Rajay Naik, chair of the commission on life-long learning.
During the webinar, the panellists – whose varied expertise lies in tutoring, distance learning, higher and further education and future-focused careers – explore the ways in which post-secondary education providers are gearing up to meet the shifting demands of employers as they navigate the ongoing economic crisis.
The conversation examines the effects of the coronavirus conundrum on school leavers, university admissions and operations, and further education providers, including apprenticeship and training firms; panellists also consider what it means for emerging education delivery models and ed tech, while aiming to provide global perspectives.
School of thought: Inspired Education, Rothschild & Co and Clyde & Co on the future of K12 investing
In partnership with Clyde & Co, EducationInvestor Global’s webinar series continued with a panel discussion featuring Nadim Nsouli, chief executive of international schooling giant Inspired Education; John Hayes, director at investment bank Rothschild & Co; and Ross Barfoot, partner at law firm Clyde & Co.
Together, the panellists discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the international K12 sector. They examine global issues through a corporate lens to identify the ways in which transaction metrics – such as valuations, price-to-earnings multiples and debt levels – will recalibrate in light of the coronavirus crisis to reflect changes to schools’ operations, capacity and thus profitability. The panel also shed light on how independent school owners, operators and investors can preserve value and protect brand integrity throughout this turbulent period and safeguard assets from future disruption through diversification.
View the recorded webinar here
Back to the future: Preparing private schools for the post-pandemic world
EducationInvestor Global’s Business Women in Education network hosted a webinar designed to help stakeholders across the private school sector prepare for the post-Covid-19 operating environment and the challenges it will present.
Introduced by EducationInvestor Global and chaired by Anna Grotberg, associate partner at EY-Parthenon and founding member of the Business Women in Education network, the panel discussion united three other founding members: Lil Bremermann-Richard, chief executive of Oxford International; Kristine Scott, partner and head of education at Harrison Clark Rickerbys; and Pam Mundy, international educational consultant and director of Pam Mundy Associates.
Collectively, the panellists share wide-reaching, international insights into the challenges presented to independent school operators thus far by the ongoing pandemic. They also look towards the future at developments including – but not limited to – shifts in demand for private schooling, changes to delivery methods, remote learning, leadership management, financial management, M&A opportunities and legal implications.
Shelter from the storm: Investing in education amid the Covid-19 pandemic
EducationInvestor Global’s webinar series continued with a live panel discussion featuring Sam Fenton-Whittet, investment director at Oakley Capital; Rory Nath, investment manager at ECI Partners; Jamie Edge, head of education & training – M&A at EY; and Derrick Betts, associate partner at EY-Parthenon.
With a breadth of international experience across private equity, corporate finance and strategic consulting, these panellists explored the future of education investment in the UK and elsewhere against a backdrop of unprecedented economic turbulence. They identify opportunities in education markets, considering the perspectives of trade, private equity and overseas investors, while assessing the impact of Covid-19 on deal flow, pricing, due diligence and more.
View the recorded webinar here
Shifting sands: Global lessons from Middle Eastern education providers’ response to Covid-19
What next? Teaching, learning and assessment after Covid-19
EducationInvestor Global’s webinar series continued with a live panel discussion featuring Daisy Christodoulou, director of education at No More Marking and author of ‘Seven Myths About Education’; Will Orr-Ewing, founder and director of Keystone Tutors; and Martin Stephen, educational consultant, former high master of St Paul’s School in London, and author of more than 20 books. The conversation was moderated by Josh O’Neill, editor of EducationInvestor Global.
Collectively, these panellists – whose diverse range of expertise encompasses tutoring, international schooling, private schooling, assessment, educational excellence and ed tech – looked to the post-pandemic future of education in the UK and elsewhere. They considered the ways in which education has been reshaped by the Covid-19 crisis, reflecting on what has worked and what hasn’t, and offer wide-ranging views on what the next era may hold for teaching, learning and assessment.
‘New normal’: The future of international student mobility
On Thursday 30 April, EducationInvestor Global’s webinar series continued with a live one-on-one interview with Anip Sharma, partner at L.E.K. Consulting’s global education practice.
In conversation with Josh O’Neill, EducationInvestor Global editor, Sharma assessed the impact of Covid-19 on international student mobility thus far, drawing on a diverse range of professional expertise, data and insights into markets including the UK, US, Canada, China, and Australia. Sharma also considers what the ‘new normal’ might be in the international student market, which is tapped heavily not only by universities and pathway providers, but also K12 operators – notably boarding schools – and educational-travel providers. The discussion encompassed a raft of geographies and subsectors that are exposed to the international student market, at a time when institutions worldwide anticipate collective losses totalling tens of billions of pounds due to Covid-19-induced international travel bans.
Covid-19 and higher education: How universities and pathway providers are navigating disruption
EducationInvestor Global’s webinar series continued with a live panel discussion featuring Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham; James Pitman, managing director, UK and Europe at Study Group; Julie Mercer, partner at Cairneagle Associates; and Glynne Stanfield, partner at Eversheds Sutherland. The conversation was moderated by EducationInvestor Global editor Josh O’Neill.
Collectively, these market experts discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the higher education sector, exploring the ways in which universities have orchestrated swift transitions to online provision. Panellists also considered diversification strategies and reflected on what the future operating environment may look like, at a time when travel bans have thrown the academic lives of international students, and the pathways sector, into a state of flux.
K12 and Covid-19: Are schools coping with the online transition?
On Thursday 9 April at 11am, EducationInvestor Global’s new webinar series will launch with a one-on-one interview with Jamie Beaton, co-founder and chief executive of Crimson Education, moderated by Josh O’Neill, editor of EducationInvestor Global.
EducationInvestor Global’s webinars offer education stakeholders worldwide deep, unique insights into market trends that are reshaping the sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
During our live conversations with market-leading experts, audience members have the opportunity to put forward questions to panellists, affording them the chance to extract invaluable views on fluid sector scenarios during these unprecedented times.
Webinars are hosted on a weekly basis, meaning content is always current and relevant to our growing global audience.
Following the seminars, recordings are uploaded online for all to view, so those who don’t manage to tune in don’t miss out.
Join hundreds of other operators, advisors and investors in the global education sector who are using our digital content to help them navigate this period of disruption.
NMT Discussions: Policy pain points
NMT’s webinar series continued with a live event featuring Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA.
Purnima discussed the lobbying efforts of the NDNA and its main priorities during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as current Government policies, navigating through the regulations and where it has been falling short for early years providers.
During this difficult period of time it is vital that legislative requirements continue to be met and that Government guidance continues to support the sector. However, recent guidance from the DfE only brings about more uncertainty.
NMT Discussions: How the Covid-19 response has unfolded so far
Care and Covid-19: Is the sector up to the challenge?
HealthInvestor UK’s Covid-19 Webinar Series kicked off with a live event featuring Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England in conversation with Rob Munro, editor, HealthInvestor UK.
HealthInvestor UK is part of Investor Publishing, the fast-growing publisher of three market leading titles, HealthInvestor UK, HealthInvestor Asia and EducationInvestor Global. All three titles provide a portfolio of specialist business information and targeted events to advisors, investors and operators within the two sectors.