Addleshaw Goddard Advises Cognita on Strategic Acquisition of Al Ain English Speaking School, UAE
The Dubai office of the law firm Addleshaw Goddard has successfully advised Cognita on its strategic acquisition of Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) from Stella Investments. This acquisition marks Cognita's first school in Al Ain and its ninth in the Middle East, further solidifying the group's expanding presence in the region.
Cognita, a UK-based global education group, operates over 100 schools across 16 countries, educating more than 90,000 students worldwide. The acquisition of AAESS is part of Cognita's broader expansion strategy in the Middle East, which has seen the group previously establish schools in Kuwait and Dubai. Addleshaw Goddard also provided advisory services for these expansions.
The recent surge in investments in the education sector across the Middle East underscores the region's growing demand for high-quality institutions and the strategic importance of expanding access to global-standard education.
The acquisition process was managed by a Dubai-based team from Addleshaw Goddard, led by Lowri Llwyd, Partner, and Rachael Norris, Managing Associate, with support from a cross-sectoral team including Corporate (Michelle Davis-Ratcliffe, Rania Sallam, and Sachin Rayit); Employment (Rachel Hill and Lucy Melville); and Real Estate (Jeremy Scott).
Lowri Llwyd, Partner and Head of Corporate UAE at Addleshaw Goddard, stated, “We are thrilled to have supported our long-standing client Cognita in its latest strategic acquisition, which not only expands its footprint in the UAE but also highlights the increasing focus on the education sector in the region.”
Jayne Pinchbeck, General Counsel for Cognita, added, “The Addleshaw Goddard team has been instrumental in guiding us through the complexities of this acquisition. Their expertise and support have been invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in the Middle East. We are excited to welcome Al Ain English Speaking School into the Cognita family and to continue delivering high-quality education to students in the region.”
Established in 1978, Al Ain English Speaking School has been a beacon of academic excellence in the heart of the UAE, serving a diverse community of 2,000 students from Nursery through to Sixth Form.
