Gowling WLG's Paris team has advised AD Education, one of France's leading network of private schools, on two of its latest acquisitions in Germany and Italy.

AD Education runs 12 schools on 36 campuses throughout Europe, offering higher education courses specialising in fields such as design, animation, video game development and communications.

The business recently acquired Accademia Italiana S.r.l, an Italian school with approximately 600 students that was founded in 1984 by architect Vincenzo Guibba. Based in Florence and Rome, the school offers courses in design, including graphic design, product design, architecture and fashion, as well as photography and jewellery.

AD Education has also acquired HMKW GmbH, a private university in Germany with approximately 1,600 students. The university provides courses in journalism and communications, graphic design, video game development, science and psychology across three campuses in Cologne, Berlin and Frankfurt.

These acquisitions were partly completed through a dedicated credit facility granted during the refinancing operation of January 2020. They represent the continuation of AD Education's global expansion efforts, which Patrick Mousset, partner in Gowling WLG's M&A / Private Equity team, regularly advises on.

Patrick worked alongside senior associates Mathias Briatta and Ani Yavasheva, as well as associate Géraldine Gonzalvez, to complete the acquisitions.