Private equity firm Brightstar Capital Partners has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 50% stake in Arden University. This investment is made in partnership with Global University Systems (GUS), the current owner of Arden.
Founded in 1990, Arden University is a rapidly growing provider of flexible higher education, offering distance and blended learning degree courses to over 40,000 students in the UK and internationally. The university specializes in serving non-traditional, adult learners who are balancing their studies with other responsibilities.
Earlier this month, Arden was ranked among the top 5 UK universities for student satisfaction in the national student survey conducted by the Office for Students, as reported by Times Higher Education. Since GUS acquired Arden in 2016, the university has experienced significant expansion, growing from approximately 6,500 students to over 40,000.
Marcelo Claure, a Partner and Co-chair at Brightstar, is expected to serve as Board Chair once the transaction is finalized. Claure, who recently joined Brightstar to focus on deal origination and AI initiatives, played a key role in establishing the relationship with Arden and GUS. The partnership aims to combine GUS’s extensive educational experience with Brightstar’s commitment to digital innovation, benefiting Arden’s stakeholders and expanding the university’s international reach.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is an exciting inflection point for Arden, and we are thrilled to join forces with Brightstar. We believe this partnership enables us to supercharge our strategy of delivering innovative learning experiences, scaling our reach, and embedding AI to support every student more effectively. We look forward to working alongside Brightstar’s investors and operators who believe so deeply in our mission.”
Professor Carl Lygo, Arden Vice Chancellor and CEO
“We are proud to partner with a company that is not just innovative but helps transform the lives of its students. With its digital-first model, operational scalability, and commitment to student outcomes, we are confident that Arden can both expand its geographic footprint and deploy advanced AI tools to personalise learning, streamline support, and enhance the overall student experience.”
Marcelo Claure
“We believe that Brightstar’s operational expertise and strategic mindset, including their focus on utilising AI to improve the student experience and operations, make them the ideal partner for this next chapter. This is a pivotal moment for Arden, and together we can build the future of education that is flexible, accessible, and powered by intelligent technology.”
Aaron Etingen, Executive Chairman and CEO of GUS
