Brightstar to acquire 50% stake in Arden University
Under Global University Systems’ ownership since 2016, the university has grown from around 6,500 students to over 40,000
Private equity firm Brightstar Capital Partners has agreed to acquire a 50% stake in Arden University in partnership with Global University Systems, the university’s current owner.
Founded in 1990, Arden is a provider of flexible higher education, offering distance and blended learning degree courses to more than 40,000 students in the UK and internationally. It primarily serves non-traditional, working adult students.
Earlier this month, Arden was ranked among the top five UK universities for student satisfaction in a national survey conducted by the Office for Students and ranked by Times Higher Education.
Under Global University Systems’ ownership since 2016, the university has grown from around 6,500 students to over 40,000.
Brightstar partner and co-chair Marcelo Claure is expected to become board chair once the deal closes. Claure, who recently joined Brightstar, played a “key role” in forging the relationship with Arden and Global University Systems.
The firms said the partnership would focus on digital innovation and expanding Arden’s international reach.
Professor Carl Lygo, Arden vice chancellor and chief executive, said: “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.”
Claure added: “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.”
Aaron Etingen, executive chairman and chief executive of Global University Systems, said: “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.”
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.