Brightstar Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in business services, industrials, consumer, and government services and technology companies, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 50% stake in Arden University in partnership with Global University Systems, Arden’s current owner.
Founded in 1990, Arden offers a combination of distance and blended learning degree courses to more than 40,000 students across the UK and internationally, with a focus on
non-traditional, working adult students who balance studies with careers, family, and other responsibilities.
This month, it was ranked among the top 5 UK universities for student satisfaction in the national student survey conducted by the Office for Students and ranked by Times Higher Education.
Under the ownership of GUS since 2016, Arden has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a small university with around 6,500 students to a leading international educational institution with more than 40,000 students.
Brightstar Partner and Co-chair Marcelo Claure is expected to serve as Board Chair upon closing of the transaction. Claure recently joined Brightstar with a focus on deal origination and implementing AI initiatives across the firm’s portfolio and played a key role in forging the relationship with Arden and GUS.
Brightstar will benefit from GUS’s deep educational experience, and together they will focus on supercharging digital innovation to benefit all of Arden’s stakeholders and scale its international reach.
The transaction is expected to close in 2H of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
