The Quinn Partnership were pleased to provide Management Due Diligence and Human Capital Planning advice to Inflexion Private Equity in their move to invest in Times Higher Education (“THE”), formerly part of TES Global, which has been carved out as an independent entity as part of their investment, in a drive to meet a growing demand for bespoke data, from TPG Capital (“TPG”). The investment was made by Inflexion’s dedicated mid-market buyout funds.

THE is the world leader in university data, rankings and content, with institutions, academics, students, industry and governments utilising the information to gain insight, inform strategic priorities, benchmark, assess and select higher education institutions. THE has led on higher education analysis for nearly half a century, and has more than 700 clients globally across its data, consultancy and hiring services, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities in the UK and Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the US. For its 2019 University Rankings (including the World University Rankings), THE’s in-house data team analysed over nine million data points on 3,500 institutions worldwide, more than half of which featured in its rankings. The website attracts over 30 million unique visitors annually. The company employs over 100 people across its five offices in the UK, US, Australia, China and Singapore.

The existing management team will work alongside Inflexion to address the growing demand from universities for data and branding products to improve the performance and academic achievement, as well as to attract students, academics and funding. In addition to cross-selling to existing clients, there will be a focus on acquiring new customers and launching add-on products through further enhancing the company’s digital offering and continuing the expansion into new international markets.

Trevor Barratt, CEO, Times Higher Education

“We’re delighted to partner with Inflexion, who have shown a deep respect for our dedication to serving the higher education community. With their strong global focus, digital expertise and entrepreneurial roots, Inflexion is natural partner for us at an exciting stage in our development. They are exceptionally well placed to help us build on our track record of growth and to ensure the continued ambitious expansion of our business. I’d like to thank TPG for their support as our owners in recent years.”

Simon Turner, Managing Partner, Inflexion

“Times Higher Education has an excellent brand and an exceptionally driven management team. By carving the business out, we can firmly focus on building its core strengths, namely through enhancing its digital presence and continuing its global expansion, particularly in the US and Asia. We look forward to working with management to build upon the strong foundations they’ve created.”

Paul Quinn, Director at The Quinn Partnership

“There is a real intellectual flair in this team and adroitness for innovation and market engagement. When we met with them, we could see clearly the passion for upright dialogue and debate that imbues the business and its principles. But the team also possesses commercial and technical strengths. In partnering with Inflexion, they now have a very strong platform upon which to continue to express and realise these commendable values and continue their fantastic work with their clients.”