Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has advised the founders of Oxford Summer Courses, a UK-based company specialising in academic enrichment summer programmes, on the sale of the business to leading premier academic programme provider Summer Discovery.
The strategic acquisition, backed by evergreen investment firm Verlinvest, furthers Summer Discovery’s expansion into the UK and Europe and broadens student access to top universities and other institutions globally including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Eton College. The integration of Oxford Summer Courses also diversifies Summer Discovery’s offering, enhancing students’ academic and personal growth on a global scale.
A cross-disciplinary team from Burges Salmon advised Oxford Summer Courses and its founders, led on the corporate side, by director Tim Roberts, associate Chris Doherty and trainee Jamie Howarth. Directors Silvana Van der Velde and James Green advised on tax and employment matters respectively.
Tim Roberts comments: “Leveraging our experience advising clients in the education and training sector, we were well positioned to guide Oxford Summer Courses through this transformational transaction for the business and we look forward to seeing the company go from strength to strength with Summer Discovery and the support from its investors.”
Harry Hortyn and Rob Phipps, co-founders and CEOs of Oxford Summer Courses, add: “We are very excited to partner with Summer Discovery and to continue our focus on high-quality educational opportunities worldwide. Summer Discovery has cemented itself as a leading summer travel provider for kids and students and we are thrilled to take our business to the next level with Verlinvest’s experienced team by our side. We enjoyed working with Burges Salmon on this important milestone for our business and are grateful for their support in making the Oxford Summer Courses and Summer Discovery partnership a reality.”