Regent to buy Pearson Online Learning Services

• Pearson is an education and publishing company headquartered in London
• Regent is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring businesses and deploying its strategic and operational expertise to fuel growth and innovation
• The firm is based in Beverly Hills, California

Regent to buy Pearson Online Learning Services (POLS) from Pearson.

POLS is Pearson’s online programme management (OPM) business. POLS gross assets stood at £113 million ($138 million; €129 million) and net assets at £78 million as of 31 December 2022. The business recorded £155 million of revenue and £26 million of adjusted operating losses in 2022.

The sale concludes the strategic review and enables further progress in reshaping Pearson’s portfolio towards future growth opportunities, according to a release.

Payment will be deferred. Pearson will receive 27.5 percent of POLS’ positive adjusted EBITDA in each calendar year for a period of six years from completion of the transaction, the release added.

Pearson will receive a further contingent payment equal to 27.5 percent of the proceeds in relation to any monetisation event of POLS.

The proceeds of this transaction will be used for general corporate purposes within Pearson’s capital allocation framework, the release said.

Pearson is an education and publishing company headquartered in London.

Regent is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring businesses and deploying its strategic and operational expertise to fuel growth and innovation. The firm is based in Beverly Hills, California.

Morgan Stanley provided financial advice, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer acted as legal adviser to Pearson.