Browne Jacobson advises on French PE-backed acquisition of leading UK apprenticeship provider

One of the largest private professional education providers in France and Switzerland has made its second international acquisition in three months in a deal supported by Browne Jacobson.

Eureka Education, backed by French private equity firm Naxicap Partners, has acquired Knovia Group, one of the UK's foremost apprenticeship and vocational training providers, from Sovereign Capital Partners. 

Together with its acquisition of Spanish vocational training provider Albali in January 2026, these deals demonstrate Eureka Education’s standing as a significant pan-European education group.

The Browne Jacobson team advising on the transaction included Partner Sandra Wong (lead partner), Partner Christian Farrow, Associates Dina Hansotia and Laura Dunn (corporate - M&A), Principal Associate Matt Dorman and Associate Salwa Ali (corporate – equity), Partner Shaun McCabe and Associate Lucy Charlesworth (banking), and Principal Associate Craig Thomas (tax). They were supported by an extensive team of specialists including experts from the firm’s education and skills sector.

Sandra said: “This acquisition is a great example of what our cross-border private equity practice does best – delivering seamless, multi-disciplinary advice on complex international transactions. It also underscores the strength of the UK's skills sector as a destination for ambitious, growth-focused investors.”

Browne Jacobson has a strong record advising on private equity-backed acquisitions, including complex cross-border transactions in the education and skills sector. The firm's corporate team regularly supports investors and management teams through investments, acquisitions and growth strategies across a range of sectors.

Recent deals undertaken by the firm include advising Modella Capital on its acquisition of WHSmith’s high street stores. Recent deals also include Rcapital on sale of Surface Technology International to Swedish-listed NOTE, advising the shareholders of Bspoke Insurance on the sale to NFP (backed by AON) and supporting Phenna Group with seven international deals in 2026. 

Browne Jacobson’s education practice advises businesses supplying the sector together with hundreds of schools, trusts, universities and local authorities. Among the private equity funds and corporates active in the education sector the firm advised in 2025 were Apiary Capital, Palatine, Quad Partners, Strive Capital, Stonepeak and Naxicap.