CHATSWORTH SCHOOLS
EducationInvestor Global editor, Josh O'Neill, presents the virtual EducationInvestor Awards
Thank you to all of the winners, finalists, judges, and sponsors, as well as the EducationInvestor Global community for another unforgettable EducationInvestor Awards celebration. With more than 145 submissions, 118 finalists in this year's fierce competition, we crowned 21 winners across Advisory & Finance, Content and education provision, Suppliers and Grand Prix. Before an audience of leading players from across the private education sector, winners included Barclays, who took home the award for 'Bank or Lender of the year', Corndel walked away with the 'Skills provider of the year' award, and Arden University won 'Education business of the year'. Thank you to everyone for participating in our first ‘virtual’ Awards with such enthusiasm and good humour. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and to celebrate the achievements of the remarkable individuals and organisations across the education sector. We look forward to welcoming you back to physical events in 2021 but until then we hope to see you all again soon on our digital event platforms.
WINNERS ADVISORY AND FINANCE
Bank/lender of the year: Barclays Broker – of education institutions: Christie & Co Consultants – to education institutions: EY-Parthenon Consultants – to the private sector: PwC Financial advisor of the year: Houlihan Lokey Investor of the year: Palatine Private Equity Legal advisors – deal making: Clyde & Co Legal advisors – to education institutions: Eversheds Sutherland
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Bank/lender of the year Barclays
• Our industry expertise – we produce a wealth of education sector-focused white papers, reports and events, all designed to help our clients make more informed business decisions • Our commitment to the digital future – Barclays is leading digital transformation of banking services, including the development of connected and cashless campuses • Ten years’ winner of EducationInvestor’s
Screenshot taken from the virtual EducationInvestor Awards 2020 ceremony
Bank/Lender of the year.
Barclays was the first bank to recognise
• 60% of UK higher education institutions,
Richard Robinson, head of education at
the need for sector specialisms and
helping them deliver an outstanding
Barclays, says: “Our perception at Barclays
we have had a team dedicated to the
student experience and outcomes, with
– as a major funder across the sector – is that
more than £4.7 billion of financing
UK universities have done incredibly well to
education sector for more than 20 years. Our relationship directors understand the
• 50% of further education colleges, with
manage the exceptional challenges they’ve
specific challenges faced by education
lending now exceeding £450 million
faced this year. We are delighted that our
businesses and that knowledge and
• A large number of other education
continued support to the sector is recognised
expertise has certainly been tested by this
institutions, including independent
as we collect this award for the tenth year
unprecedented year.
schools, charities, businesses and
and we are extremely proud to support so
government bodies in the sector, with
many of the UK’s leading education providers
lending now exceeding £700 million.
and businesses.”
But despite the challenges, we’ve been impressed by how the education sector has responded to Covid-19. From the initial
Barclays’ support for the education
We are honoured the judges recognised
lockdown and moving teaching to online
sector
providing
that despite the pandemic, “Barclays has
platforms within just a few weeks, to the
financing, transactional banking and cash
continued to support its education customers
adjustment once students were allowed to
management services. We actively engage
through this crisis and further lending”
return to campus.
with sector representatives, funders and
and considered “its [Barclays] continued
extends
beyond
regulators, and advise with our industry
support to the sector in the current pandemic
are
expertise. In addition, we take our corporate
noteworthy” and our “commitment to
exceptionally proud to win, ‘Bank/Lender of
responsibilities regarding education
sustainable solution is also impressive”.
the year’ at the EducationInvestor Awards.
seriously. 8.8 million young people have
We’re one of the biggest lenders to the
participated in LifeSkills – a programme that
The judges were also impressed with our
education market and are proud to be
inspires 11-24 year olds by equipping them
“entrepreneurial social activity in the sector,
a trusted partner to a range of different
with the key core transferable skills needed
which includes Code Playground and the
clients across the sector.
to move forward in the modern workplace.
prominent LifeSkills campaign” which
We have significant banking or lending
As one of our education clients, you can
affinity with owners and operators across
relationships with:
also benefit from:
the age spectrum”.
Against
this
background
we
“elevates Barclays and demonstrates its
For more information about Barclays visit barclayscorporate.com/industry-expertise/our-sector-coverage/public-sector
EducationInvestor Global is a market-leading intelligence resource for investors, operators, lenders and advisors focused on the global business of education and training. As a subscriber you will receive: • Unrestricted access to EducationInvestor Global online from desktop, mobile and tablet devices • One ticket per year to any of our global Summits, as well as all other digital events and seminars, including subscriber-only webinars • Breaking news email alerts and bespoke newsletters annotated by the editor providing crucial context and commentary surrounding market-moving stories • Exclusive access to Fund Focus, a database of vital market intelligence from leading funds in the sector • A weekly round-up of the latest news, features and events delivered direct to your inbox ahead of non-subscribers • Access to the sector-famous Deal Archive, a one-stop trove of information on transactions dating back more than a decade, complete with valuations and advisor details • Market analysis, business intelligence, thought-leadership and research.
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EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Legal advisors – deal making Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co is very proud to have won the
sector group, led by Ross Barfoot and David
global ‘Legal advisors – deal making' award
Hansom, which gives us a unique ability to
at the EducationInvestor Awards 2020 for
support our education clients wherever they
the fourth consecutive year.
choose to operate.
We again thank our clients and supporters,
The global education practice spans our
who have given us the opportunity to be
network of more than 50 offices and
involved with the stellar work that our global
associated offices across six continents
education practice has been involved in
including the UK, North and South America,
over the past 12 months. Combining local
the Middle East, Asia and Australia. We
expertise with international reach, we help
have particular strength in depth in advising
clients in the education sector make the
UK independent schools and universities
most of opportunities in growing economies
expanding to the Middle East and Asia. We
and emerging markets with sector-focused
regularly advise investors and international
“Clyde & Co has worked on some
pragmatic legal advice.
operators on education investments,
of the most notable transactions
corporate M&A and regulatory matters.
in the sector helping investors and
2020 was again highlighted by many key
The judges’ comments:
operators expand their business in
deals for us. We have adapted to the rapidly
Ross comments: “Being acknowledged by
changing situation by understanding our
the leading publication for investors across
clients’ operating environment, the pressures
the global education sector is a great honour
“Clyde & Co has acted on many of
created by Covid-19, the UK's withdrawal
and testimony to our contribution to the
the major M&A deals this year and
from the EU, and how this translates into
education industry this year. We would
has established a clear position as a
their commercial needs. We now act for
like to extend our thanks to the panel of
go-to firm for education M&A.”
more than 100 of the world's top education
judges for recognising our commitment to
institutions globally through our education
the sector.”
creative ways.”
Screenshot taken from the virtual EducationInvestor Awards 2020 ceremony
For more information about Clyde & Co visit clydeco.com
WINNERS CONTENT AND EDUCATION PROVISION
Digital publisher of the year: Fiction Express Pathway company of the year: Study Group Private education group of the year: Kido Private tutoring company of the year: Oppidan Education Skills provider of the year: Corndel
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Pathway company of the year Study Group
As a leading provider of global education,
outcomes in groundbreaking new ways in the
disruption, allowing for a focus on providing
Study Group achieved success in the ‘Pathway
2019/2020 academic year.
the best possible learning experience
company of the year’ category, through
platform and educational content despite
demonstrating a forward-thinking and
As James Pitman, UK and EU managing
pioneering approach to digital innovation,
director at Study Group said: “We are delighted
by being at the forefront of online education
to win the Pathway company of the year prize
“Study Group turned 25 years old in 2020.
provision development before the global health
at the Global EducationInvestor Awards 2020.
Its anniversary was not as expected, but it
crisis hit.
enormous challenge.
did mark a year of outstanding effort and “Nobody in the international education sector
achievement in the highest-quality, research-
Anticipating a shift to blended and virtual
in 2019 imagined how 2020 would play out
informed, online, and blended education,
learning, its groundbreaking ed tech solution
and the impact of Covid-19 on the sector.
which look set to underpin the next 25
Insendi was in place at the start of February
However, we understood pre-pandemic that
years and ensure the continued success of
last year, which enabled the organisation to
online education was a powerful disruptor
our students.
pivot swiftly to digital course delivery to meet
of all services, which allowed access to new
the changing needs of international students
audiences and the ability to think differently
Thank you and a huge congratulations to
due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
about distance learning and delivery at pace.
everyone at Study Group and Insendi who have made winning this award possible.”
As a result, Study Group supported more
“Our foresight to invest in online education
than 14,000 students from 120 countries, on
expertise of the highest quality through
The EducationInvestor Awards’ judges were
campuses spread across three continents, to
our acquisition of Insendi was to prove
extremely impressed with Study Group’s
achieve their desired learning and progression
game-changing at a moment of unforeseen
submission and made the comments below.
The judges’ comments: “Emma Lancaster and her team are one of the largest providers in the sector. Once again, Study Group has won some of the notable contracts in the sector and expanded its business globally further.” “Its forward-thinking acquisition of Insendi, coupled with its innovative mindset and swift response to the pandemic, makes Study Group an impressive contender. By accelerating its move online and with a focus on student engagement and quality content it has been able to provide students and universities with alternative remote learning pathways, widening participation in the process. In addition, with eyes on life post-Covid-19, it has begun to extend its offer to include new digital services for international students looking for virtual and blended learning solutions.” “In its 25th anniversary year, Study Group benefited from its foresight to invest in pioneering digital and blended learning solutions, helping it to respond brilliantly to the Covid-19 situation. Despite the pandemic, it supported more than 14,000 students in 140 countries to some fantastic outcomes, while achieving strong satisfaction and progression rates.” “Scale, breadth, and new innovations such as the relationship with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology makes Study Group the winner of this category.”
For more information about Study Group visit studygroup.com
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Private education group of the year Kido
Kido is an innovative, international platform
comprehensive and advanced system
dedicated to delivering the highest-quality
of operations, management, curriculum
early years education anywhere in the
delivery, teacher training and parent
world, by integrating technology, design
engagement anywhere in the world, and
“Kido has brought innovation and
and pedagogy to deliver unique learning
is used by Kido and our partners for all of
energy to the early years foundation
experiences to children in our schools, in
our products and services.
stage sector.”
The judges’ comments:
their neighbourhoods and in their homes. Kido is always on the lookout to partner
“Kido’s platform has the potential
Since opening its first school in Hong Kong
with like-minded people who share its
to transform the pre-school market
in 2014, Kido has expanded to five countries,
vision of providing quality early years
across the globe. Its franchise
with premium pre-school operations in
education everywhere.
model, innovative technology and
Hong Kong, India, the UAE, UK and the
high-quality, low-cost offering allow
US. Kido’s operations continue to expand,
for rapid expansion and adoption
with schools opening in more countries and
in multiple countries. Few other
cities in 2021 and beyond. In 2020, Kido
operators can match its inventiveness
launched two groundbreaking products in
or potential. Kido is a standout winner
the middle of the global pandemic:
in this category.”
• Kido Home, a virtual pre-school offering live, online pre-school for children around the world, coupled with a unique touchscreen interactive technology platform specifically for children under the age of five; and • Kido Village, a technology-driven platform that allows any woman in India (for the moment) to open a micro-preschool or micro-creche from their home. Between Kido’s premium schools, Kido Home and Kido Village, Kido has the capability to reach children anywhere, and everywhere. Our products integrate high-quality design, technology, pedagogy and people to deliver the most complete early years system in the world – used by us, and our franchisees around the world. The Kido Early Years system represents the most
For more information about Kido visit kido.school
WINNERS SUPPLIERS
Education business services: EPM ICT – platforms and applications: Prodigy Learning Recruitment services: The Spencer Group Schools improvement provider: TT Education
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Education business services EPM
Despite the hardships of the Coronavirus
help schools across the country to achieve
complemented by a new reporting and
pandemic, EPM has pulled out all the
success.
analytics portal, allowing EPM customers
stops during the crisis to deliver additional
to view their dashboards and reports, while
resources, implement new technology
As an accredited education services
being able to interact and drill down into
and go on to win at the EducationInvestor
business that keeps going from strength
their data to explore trends and patterns,
Awards 2020.
to strength, its dedication and support to
and share the findings with stakeholders.
2,350 schools and 150-plus trusts across 100 As EPM continues to lead the way in the
local authorities doesn’t go unrecognised.
But the growth hasn’t stopped there. As well as being able to continue with
UK’s education sector, this company won the award for education business services which
While continuing to deliver on its specialisms
recruitment amid the challenges of 2020,
recognises its commitment and support to
in HR and payroll & pensions, EPM has
EPM is working alongside Avec Partnership
provided schools throughout the UK (not
(acquired in 2019) to provide additional
just their customer base) with bespoke
support services through academy
advice, action for the latest announcements
conversions, finance, procurement and
and dedicated Coronavirus support
governance. It has also collaborated to
“EPM has had an outstanding year
functions. This included the creation of
release Education Insights, a monthly
of growth, client retention and most
numerous FAQs, several live Q&A sessions,
magazine for the education sector which
importantly helping its customers look
setting up an education support services
provides free expert advice from the
after their employees. With the recent
helpline and a back to school toolkit –
professionals.
acquisition of Avec, EPM continues to
helping schools to prepare fully for their
be the standout provider for schools.”
reopening in September.
“At a time when schools have been
To enhance the service offering further,
platform and improved Disclosure and
severely disrupted by the pandemic,
EPM launched a self-service facility, to give
Barring Service functionality, and it’s clear
stability
ever-more
school employees more control over their
to see that EPM is paving the way to be
important. EPM, with its back-to-
portal details and reduce the burden on
one of the most comprehensive education
school support and tailored advice
school administration teams. This has been
support services on the market.
The judges’ comments:
Add this to the projects that are already in the pipeline, such as a new e-learning
becomes
for its customers, has clearly stepped up to provide that stability when it was needed most. This dependability has not only allowed EPM to retain its customer base, but to increase it, even though the sector was in the midst of a once-in-a-century crisis.” “EPM has good focus, a strong brand and good POP: Product market fit, Operational delivery, and Profit.”
Screenshot taken from the virtual EducationInvestor Awards 2020 ceremony
For more information about EPM visit epm.co.uk
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
ICT – platforms and applications Prodigy Learning
Prodigy Learning is an award-winning global
this goal. We are delighted to have selected
as skillify and Coding in Minecraft that are
ed tech business, providing innovative online
Prodigy Learning to deliver the new system
transforming assessment and improving
platforms that enable learners to develop
and have no doubt that it is a solution that
learner outcomes on a global scale.
and prove their skills. These solutions range
can grow with Irish schools in line with their
from skills assessments in education through
needs and with the rapidly changing digital
Prodigy Learning is proud to be an
to job-ready digital skills certifications
technology landscape in education.”
international success story in the education
from IT industry leaders including Adobe,
sector. The Company has been honoured
Autodesk and Microsoft. The Company
‘Coding in Minecraft’ credential proves
with many awards for innovation and
serves more than 3,000 customers in the
coding skills to close skills gap
excellence and believes it should benchmark
education, training, corporate and public
As well as hosting external assessments,
itself against the best. The Company’s
sectors across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the
the ‘skillify’ platform hosts programmes
newest platform products, including skillify
Asia-Pacific region and the US.
developed in-house by Prodigy Learning,
and Coding in Minecraft, are taking the
including Coding in Minecraft – a computer
Company to the next level with exponential
Best-in-class ‘skillify’ online assessment
science curriculum, skills assessment
growth in international markets. Winning its
platform
and credential programme delivered
EducationInvestor Award 2020 has been
Last September, Prodigy Learning’s ‘skillify’
through Minecraft: Education Edition.
great recognition for the team of ‘Prodigies’
online assessment platform was selected
This programme provides teachers with
who have been key to driving the Company’s
by Ireland’s Educational Research Centre,
a revolutionary end-to-end teaching and
success and all at Prodigy Learning are
a statutory agency of the Department
assessment solution for their students to
delighted with this accolade.
of Education, for use in the rollout of
develop and prove skills in coding. Prodigy
computer-based standardised testing in
Learning developed Coding in Minecraft
Irish primary and post-primary schools.
to engage school children from age nine
The software-as-a-service solution, built
to 16 in computer science through game-
“Prodigy Learning has built a global
natively on Microsoft’s Azure cloud, provides
based learning.
customer base focusing on online
The judges’ comments:
platforms and assessment in the
test-takers with an easy-to-use online assessment system that is reliable, secure,
New product development – experience
digital and coding skills space, and
engaging and meaningful. The cloud-based
drives innovation
after an international tender process
assessment platform will allow the ERC the
Critical for Prodigy Learning’s success in
its skillify platform was awarded a
flexibility to develop its own question types
the ed tech sector is to innovate best-
national contract to supply an online
and test designs.
in-class customer products and learning
assessment system for Irish primary
experiences. The Company’s online
schools. With other customers in the
Dr Jude Cosgrove, chief executive of the
platforms are excellent examples of
US and Australia, Prodigy has become
Educational Research Centre, said: “One
Prodigy Learning’s premium customer
a substantial, innovative international
of the goals in our 2019-2021 strategic plan
proposition and continuous innovation,
ed tech leader.”
is to produce a regularly updated suite of
particularly in the field of online assessment
high-quality and relevant assessments that
(ever-more important in this current era
“Prodigy Learning is a super brand
reflects best international practices and
of Covid-19). Prodigy Learning is using
which now extends overseas as well
serves the needs of the Irish educational
its global footprint and experience and
in the UK.”
system. Securing a new best-in-class online
network of educators to develop exciting,
assessment system is key to delivering on
revolutionary, world-first products such
For more information about Prodigy Learning visit prodigylearning.com
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Recruitment services The Spencer Group
The Spencer Group is a truly specialist
in China, despite national lockdowns and
executive search firm for the commercial
other obstacles before the pandemic even
education sector, that accesses and
reached the UK.
secures market-leading talent for forward-looking, commercially driven
As a direct response to the increase in
organisations. The team is delighted to
online education, competition for talent is
have won EducationInvestor’s recruitment
increasing dramatically within the sector.
services award for the second year running.
As such, The Spencer Group has developed
The judges’ comments:
a unique recruitment programme solution, With an unrivalled network and deep
enabling organisations to utilise their
“Few of its competitors can match The
industry expertise, The Spencer Group
proven executive search methodology
Spencer Group when it comes to the
is committed to supporting clients to
to execute recruitment campaigns of
depth of its expertise and the breadth
engage market-leading talent and
volume, delivering excellent results
of its market reach. But unlike many
is focused on building deep-rooted
across the globe at pace with a partner
recruiters, it expanded rather than
relationships and aligning interests to
that knows the market, the talent pool,
retrenched when the pandemic struck.
create unique opportunities that drive
and them.
That enabled it to provide its customers
highly successful leadership teams to
with the support and reassurance they
achieve specific business and academic
In support of its relationships in the space,
needed as the education landscape
objectives. With more than 20 years’
The Spencer Group also hosted a podcast
changed in unprecedented ways. The
experience in the industry, The Spencer
series with senior industry leaders across
Spencer Group deserves this award not
Group has become the trusted partner
the education spectrum to discuss the
only for the innovative way it tackled
for organisations seeking the agility and
impacts of the pandemic to ease the
the pandemic, but also for the familiar
responsiveness of a search boutique,
tide of negativity. Participants include
reassurance it provided long-standing
with the international reach of a true
Carl Lygo, Dan Sandhu, Mark Anderson
clients in a fast-moving recruitment
global player.
and Julian Drinkall. (spencergroup.com/
environment.”
news-and-blog) The award reflects the impact The
“Positive examples of executive hires
Spencer Group made to the education
The Spencer Group can support your
to grow education businesses digitally
sector in 2019/2020, specifically during
hiring requirements and work with you
or improve educational outcomes
the Covid-19 outbreak, that has seen
to build a tailored strategy to secure the
across the world, sets it apart from the
many organisations suffer. In order to
leadership team you need to scale up and
competition. Its customer feedback
keep up with the pace in demand as
grow your business.
and strong customer service shone.”
organisations adapted to the evolution of virtual/online learning, The Spencer
Would you be interested in scheduling
Group expanded its team by 50% post the
a call over the coming weeks to discuss
initial lockdown period in order to support
your current market position, candidate
its clients with reduced time frames in a
pools available, and salaries/package
period of uncertainty. Furthermore, The
within this sector? Please contact Julian
Spencer Group continued to navigate
Minett with your preferred date and time
candidates through existing processes
via julian.minett@spencergroup.com
For more information about The Spencer Group visit spencergroup.com
WINNERS GRAND PRIX
Education business of the year: Arden University Ed tech firm of the year: GL Education Exporting excellence: Thuso Market entrant: IMP Software
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Education business of the year Arden University
Arden University is proud to be named ‘Education
face, lecturer-led teaching at study centres in
business of the year’ at the EducationInvestor
London, Birmingham, Manchester and Berlin.
Awards 2020, after an incredible year of growth
The judges’ comments:
As higher education providers rapidly
“We were hugely impressed by the
pivoted to online learning in the wake of the
performance of Arden University which,
The university – arden.ac.uk – is a leading UK-
Covid-19 lockdown, Arden’s students were
although small, has grown and evolved
based provider of flexible, online and blended
able to enjoy a seamless and uninterrupted
significantly over the past couple of years
learning, supporting students in the UK and
digital learning experience.
and despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
for the online learning specialist.
around the world, which in 2020 recorded
This comes as no surprise due to the
an incredible year of growth despite the
With proven experience in creating tailored,
challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
bespoke online learning programmes, this also
unparalleled leadership of Carl Lygo.”
meant its study centre-based learners were
“The reasons it stood out are: its
As an unashamedly ‘digital-first’ university,
rapidly transitioned from face-to-face teaching
incredible growth in student numbers,
with a proud heritage of delivering bespoke
to a flexible model incorporating Arden’s own
its rebranding achievement, its student
online learning, Arden is capitalising on its
established, bespoke online learning tools
and staff diversity, its performance during
growing reputation for digital excellence
supported by live teaching.
Covid, and the international expansion
and saw a 50% year-on-year increase in student numbers in 2020.
plan and performance in Berlin so far.” Arden University offers learners personalised academic and digital-skills support from
“Despite the ‘sustainability’ challenge
Arden University’s vice-chancellor and chief
enrolment right through to graduation and
to all businesses during 2020, Arden
executive Professor Carl Lygo said being named
with bespoke, online 24/7, multimedia learning
managed an uninterrupted experience
‘Education business of the year’ was testament
materials and a cutting-edge virtual classroom
for its clients, alongside an impressive
to the tremendous hard work of colleagues
study portal called ilearn for students to enjoy
maintenance of its 50% year-on-year
and students at the university. He said: “We’ve
exceptional flexibility.
growth to date. Moving rapidly to a
been a pioneer of online learning for 30 years
programme of webinars to replace its
and during the pandemic we have grown by
Additionally, Arden’s flexible entry
outreach work, Arden demonstrated
more than 50%, developed nine new schools,
requirements and course costs help to make
agility in a crisis. Addressing and not
enhanced academic quality and invested in
it a more accessible choice, especially for
limiting access to specific geo-political
some great ed tech to help our students further.
students who are returning to education.
themes and students from specific
The judging panel comprised industry experts,
Arden is also only the second UK university
groups, including BAME students, those
so it’s extra special to have their endorsement
to offer its undergraduate graduates a fully
from lower income brackets, mature
for all our hard work. This is a great time to be
funded, postgraduate master’s course on
students and those requiring additional
at Arden University; we have ambitious future
completion of their undergraduate studies.
support and motivation, Arden has
plans and we are really excited for 2021.”
invited a diverse population of students This incredible opportunity will increase
to its highly accessible programmes.
Arden now supports more than 10,000
access to specialisms for students, helping
The successful drives for international and
undergraduate and postgraduate students in
them to stand out in the employment market,
national expansion and the creation of
the UK and worldwide, delivering fully online,
earn higher salaries throughout the lifetime
new partnerships makes Arden University
as well as blended learning programmes
of their career, or develop the skills needed
the clear winner of this category.”
which combine online learning with face-to-
to become top entrepreneurs.
For more information about Arden University visit arden.ac.uk
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Ed tech firm of the year GL Education
The past year was volatile for anyone
The company adopted other strategies,
involved in the business of education. Yet
too. It launched a new customer life cycle
despite the challenges thrown in its path, GL
communications programme to improve
Education – the EducationInvestor Awards
the customer experience significantly, and
2020 ed tech ‘Firm of the year’ – found new
integrated its CAT4 results into the FFT’s
ways to support its school customers during
Aspire product to create a benchmark for
the pandemic and still meet its own sales
students at the end of Key Stage 4. It also
and growth targets.
developed a series of intervention strategies Between March and September, GL created
to support students’ wellbeing after their
2020 had started incredibly positively for GL
new teams of specialist consultants,
prolonged absence from school – an addition
Education, a leading independent provider
education advisors and data insight experts
to its Pupil Attitudes to Self and School
of digital assessments and curriculum-
to support prospective customers in advance
measure.
mapped classroom resources for schools.
of a sale during the onboarding process,
Its teams across the world were hitting their
and with the rollout and data analysis of
Face-to-face events, the bedrock of the
monthly growth targets and the company
their assessment programmes when more
company’s sales strategy, were replaced with
was feeling confident about a successful
students returned to school.
a series of webinars, and training workshops
year ahead. However, with the onset of
were redeveloped into an online format.
Covid, the closing of schools, and the global
Online courses were designed to showcase
introduction of home learning, this ed tech business had no choice but to rethink its strategy and tactics.
The judges’ comments:
how schools could use assessment data effectively. This included ‘Return to School’
“GL Education is a deserving winner.
– a four-week course to help school leaders
The company’s sharp focus on its
set a new baseline, identify learning gaps and
“The crucial decision we took in March was
customers, coupled with a drive to
evaluate and address student wellbeing issues.
to put all of our global marketing activity on
move quickly to meet the challenges
hold,” explains Greg Watson, chief executive
of the pandemic, has meant that GL
“When schools returned they understood
of GL Education (pictured).
has seen significant growth through
the vital role GL’s products could play in
the back-to-school period. By using
their long-term, post-Covid recovery,” adds
“Rather than bombard schools with promises
the opportunity afforded by lockdown
Watson.
of immediate help to the challenges they
carefully to review its products, to
were facing, we decided the best course of
listen to schools, and to refine its
“During the worst of the pandemic we
action was to look hard at our own offer,
customer care offer, it is now reaping
developed new partnerships and refocused
recalibrate where necessary, and come up
the rewards.”
product development to improve the quality
with new innovations that would better suit our customers’ needs.
of our digital offering. We found new and “The results are impressive with more
untapped revenue streams through listening
than a million tests taken during
to our markets and responding swiftly.
“Schools had enough on their plates to deal
September, improved year-on-year
with, so we thought it best to send one
renewal rates, and the development
“All of this meant that despite a very
Covid-related message – to reassure them
of new partnerships in the UK and
challenging six months, the business exceeded
that we were here if needed – and instead
internationally.”
the objectives that we set ourselves at the
focus on the new task at hand.”
For more information about GL Education visit gl-education.com
start of the year.”
EducationInvestor
WINNER
Awards 2020
Exporting excellence Thuso
A finalist in two of the four Grand Prix
This has included continued efforts to ensure
categories of the 2020 EducationInvestor
quality education in Afghanistan, Northeast
Awards, and selected as winner of the
Nigeria and Somalia, in areas in which
Exporting Excellence Award, Thuso has
provision is consistently disrupted by the
rapidly emerged as a leading strategic
Taliban, Boko Haram and Al Shabab, as well
consultancy, and technical advisory services
as building work in new markets, particularly
provider within the education sector,
the Pacific, supporting national education
“In only 14 months, Thuso has
operating from a network of international
sector planning throughout the region.
established itself as a strategic
offices in London, Europe, the United Arab
Thuso’s team has continued to deploy to
consultant in the international
Emirates, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well
some of the world’s most challenging regions
education sector. It has brought
as field offices and client sites in a range of
where travel has become increasingly difficult
together a highly experienced
other locations.
due to international restrictions, as well as
team and won contracts across the
providing distance support and online training
world… working with ministries, non-
to ministries internationally.
governmental organisations, education
In December 2020, the company launched its public presence, and announced the
The judges’ comments:
establishments, and major donors,
composition of its senior team, comprising a
In addition, Thuso has continued to work with
group of established leaders in the education
family offices, and private investors, as well
delivering a wide range of services.
sector, with founding partners Charles
as school operators, to support expansion
“Operating in consistently challenging
Schulze and Matej Damborsky joined by
into new markets, to source investment
national and international education
managing director Matthew Goldie-Scot, and
opportunities, and secure funding for new
markets, securing partnerships
head of operations Alexandra Tigan.
ventures.
with some of the world’s leading
With a seasoned team drawn from academia,
Thuso’s leadership team seeks to build on
focused work at both strategic
management consultancy, and the military,
these successes in the coming year, with
and operational levels, Thuso has
Thuso responded rapidly to international
increased operations in Latin America, as
maintained a commitment to
lockdowns, enrolling staff in a series of
well as continued business development in
excellence since its inception.”
courses developed by the London School
Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Sub-Saharan
of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, providing
Africa, as well as continued growth in markets
support to intergovernmental organisations,
in which the business is already firmly
and national ministries of education, to
established, in addition to further investment
deliver effective online learning, and to
in digital solutions for clients and partners.
organisations, and evidencing impact-
minimise disruption to pupils in a range of international contexts. Alongside this work, Thuso has continued to
support
national
governments,
intergovernmental organisations, and international non-governmental organisations, as well as private sector partners, in emerging
Screenshot taken from the virtual EducationInvestor Awards 2020 ceremony
markets and fragile states.
For more information about Thuso visit thusogroup.com
Many thanks to our 2020 judging panel
Vipul Bhargava GILT Education
Lil Bremermann-Richard Oxford International Education Group
Andrea Carr Education advisor and chair
Aatif Hassan Dukes Education
Patrick Hayes Times Higher Education
Robin Headlee Discovery Education
Gerard Kelly Gerard Kelly & Partners
Mariana Kou Research Study Education Group
Brenda McLeish Learning Curve Group
Pam Mundy Pam Mundy Associates
Fabrizia Rizzi Inflexion
Kate Shand Enjoy Education
Rob Simpson Apiary Capital
Edward Slade Schoolhouse Management Pty
Richard Taylor Media Taylor
Caroline Wright BESA
Thank you to those who attended virtually in 2020. We look forward to seeing you in 2021. Jason Zemmel CMS Law
EducationInvestor
Awards 2020