Ardian has sold its minority stake in the CEGOS Group to management and the CEGOS Association, a long-standing shareholder in the group.
The CEGOS Group is a specialist in vocational training services.
Since Ardian’s investment in 2009, the CEGOS Group has significantly increased its market share in France and, with the support of Ardian’s international presence in Singapore and Beijing, accelerated its development in Asia.
The CEGOS Group has been particularly active in expanding its “inter activity” training programmes which support groups of professionals from different companies.
In 2013, the CEGOS Group achieved a EUR166m turnover and currently has 1,200 employees in 30 countries globally. Ardian also supported the CEGOS Group’s board with its managerial succession planning in order to strengthen the company for the next stage of its development. The appointment of three new Board members will become effective in June 2014.
Jacques Coquerel, president of the CEGOS Group, says: “Over the last four years we have built a very close relationship with the Ardian team. They have helped to support our development strategy and to build a new governance structure which will significantly strengthen the position of our business in the future. It has been an extremely valuable partnership.”
François Jerphagnon, managing director small market enterprise capital at Ardian, says: “We are proud to have worked together with the management of CEGOS and its employees, which have now become the group’s main shareholders. During this period CEGOS has increased its position as a market leader in a competitive environment, and now has the necessary resources to become a truly international player within its sector.”
