Global private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners has entered into an agreement with Improve International Group’s management team to invest in the company; financial details of the deal were not made public.
Improve International, which was established in 1998, is the pioneer in postgraduate veterinary education and training worldwide.
The company, which was started by vets for veterinary professionals, is dedicated to improving veterinary care globally and equipping medical professionals with the knowledge and abilities needed to provide treatment for animals.
Improve International offers continuing professional development needs (CPD) content and training in addition to working with veterinarians around the world to upskill them.
It also offers courses in 20 countries and nine languages by utilising modern training facilities and captivating digital material.
With offices in Germany, Spain, Portugal, the United States, and France, the company, which has its headquarters in Swindon, UK, employs over 170 people.
Improve International will remain under the direction of its current management group and CEO, Heber Alves.
Heber Alves said: “Our partnership with LLCP comes at a very exciting time for Improve International. We are proud of the offering we have built and are excited to continue to broaden access to veterinary professionals across the world, so they can enjoy their lifelong learning journey, and benefit greatly from its many rewards along the way. LLCP’s deep experience in education and medical training will be highly valuable to us as we enter the next phase of growth.”
Josh Kaufman, partner, and head of Europe at LLCP, added: “We are delighted to partner with Improve International. The management team has built a leading education business that is well positioned to service the growing needs of the veterinary industry globally. We are excited to help them scale the business through organic initiatives, including new course development and geographic expansion, as well as through strategic M&A.”
Moreover, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners will make its seventh investment in Improve International. LLCP has made significant investments in education through its many funds, including GL Education, Skill Dynamics, Therapeutic Research Center, Squla, CJ Fallon, and Mander Portman Woodward. LLCP has also invested in the veterinary sector through Suveto in the United States.
LLCP received advice from DC Advisory (debt), KPMG (finance), Deloitte (tax), Willkie Farr & Gallagher (legal), and CIL (commercial).