European leader in private higher education specialising in creative careers, the AD Education group continues its development with the takeover of Asfored-Edinovo.

Asfored-Edinovo is the reference training organisation in the publishing sector in France, resulting from the Association for professional training and development in the publishing professions, born in 1972 on the initiative of the Syndicat national de l'édition (SNE).

The association will retain a minority stake in the capital of Asfored-Edinovo alongside the AD Education group as part of this alliance.

This new acquisition, which comes a few months after the acquisition of French school specialising in audio and film production Institut des Médias avancés, des Arts et des Technologies (IMAAT), allows AD Education to complete its training offer and create bridges between the professions of illustration, art direction and publishing.

Founded in 2009, the AD Education group now accounts for 22,000 students in 16 schools across France, Italy, Germany and Spain. With its 68 campuses, it covers the main innovative and creative areas: design and arts graphics, video game, media and digital, audio-visual, culture and luxury.

Gowling WLG France advised AD Education with M&A-Private equity partner Patrick Mousset, and associate Josselin Nony-Davadie.

The seller was advised by Didier Avocats (law firm), with partner Philippe Didier and legal counsel Stéphane Dominguez, by Mansartis (M&A), with Jean-Pascal Clédat, Thierry Rohr and Jean-Philippe Roatta, by PMSI (strategy), with Rémi de Guilhermier and Aline Maresquier, and by Advance Capital (financial DD), with Olivier Poncin, Malek Benteldjoune, and Mehdi Adye.