RWK Goodman advises on sale of international school software provider to Australian edtech group

Double First has worked with independent schools in the UK for over 30 years. In the last decade, the company has leveraged its high-performance school management system, Engage, to grow internationally, servicing some 600 schools across more than 60 countries.

Double First’s Engage solution is a cutting edge school management information and finance solution. Its end-to-end software supports school administration, finance, teaching and learning, property and location data management and distance education in one platform.

John North, Head of our Corporate team, said: “Having seen Double First’s business grow over the years we were delighted to work with the management and shareholders on this international transaction and so contribute to the development of one of the world’s leading edtech platforms. Despite the global slowdown due to coronavirus, the M&A pipeline is still strong and the UK with its strengths in edtech and the wider tech sector remains one of the premier destinations for in-bound investment.”

EHG said the acquisition of Double First is a central pillar of its international growth strategy and is supported by Australian tech focused private equity firm and majority owner, Potentia Capital.

Double First’s international presence expands EHG’s predominantly Australia/NZ operations, creating a global business servicing over 1,900 schools and 1 million school users in more than 60 countries across the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and NZ.

EHG CEO and Managing Director Tim Dawson said: “This acquisition is the next step in developing our end-to-end school software offering and growing Education Horizons Group into the world’s leading K-12 education software provider.”

Double First CEO Barry Anns and his team will continue at their Yeovil base, and he will assume the new role of Group Head of International, leading the international growth push.
EHG was advised on this transaction by Herbert Smith Freehills, Ernst & Young and Genesis Advisory while Double First was advised by Polestar Capital in addition to our Partner John North.