Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises on AU$128 million sale of higher education provider King's Own Institute to China Education Group

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised on the AU$128 million sale of Australian higher education provider King's Own Institute (KOI) to HKEX-listed China Education Group (CEG).

KOI is an Australian private tertiary level higher education provider offering accredited degree courses including accounting, business and IT to both domestic and international students. CEG is a leading private higher and vocational education group in China, with approximately 178,000 enrolled students as at September 2019. The acquisition of KOI forms part of CEG's growth strategy in the higher education sector.

Clifford Chance acted for the shareholders of KOI in connection with the transaction. Partner Mark Currell and counsel Jacob Kahwaji led the matter from Sydney.

Jacob said, "We are delighted to have supported the shareholders of KOI in bringing this transaction to fruition. Australia represents one of the most popular and fastest growing international student markets in the world, and the Australian education sector continues to be the subject of interest from private equity and trade buyers throughout the region."