AXA Private Equity acquired 15% of the capital of the Cegos Group, a global leader in vocational training services operating in 30 countries.
At the same time, Cegos’s management has decided to undertake a secondary leveraged management buyout (LMBO), following the success of its first LMBO in 2005.
This investment is completed alongside historical shareholders including the management (more than 120 associate managers), a large number of employees and Cegos Association, the Group’s historical shareholder.
Created in 1926, Cegos is today an international leading player in professional training with expertise in all areas of management and skills development, including human resources, management and leadership, performance and organisation, individual and collective effectiveness, sales and marketing, project management and the deployment of large-scale training systems in France and abroad.
Commenting on the transaction, Jacques Coquerel, President of the Cegos Group, was quoted to say: “With this collaboration we demonstrate our intention to continue our growth strategy which has always been based on collective commitment and innovation.
“In becoming a stakeholder, AXA Private Equity will support the implementation of this strategy and reinforce our capacity to invest internationally.
“Such expansion will help us guide companies in their reflection on training and the use of new learning methods”.
François Jerphagnon, Managing Director, AXA Private Equity, added: “We are delighted to be accompanying Cegos in its growth strategy.
“Its leadership, solid employee commitment to the development plan, and the significant training needs of its clients constitute valuable advantages which will allow the Group to pursue its expansion, both in France and internationally.
“Our international network and experience of working with growing companies will be key to Cegos in the coming years”.
The investment was made through AXA Private Equity’s Expansion II fund.
FinSMEs
20/01/2010