Global Knowledge Acquires Synergy Professional Services
Acquisition provides expansion into the growing markets of
Middle East and Africa
Cary, N.C. and Wokingham, UK – September 4th, 2007 – Global
Knowledge, the largest privately held provider of training and
enterprise learning services for information technology (IT) and
management professionals, announced today that it has reached an
agreement to acquire Synergy Professional Services (SPS).
SPS, a privately owned business headquartered in Dubai, provides
professional and technical IT skills training, consulting, and
services in the Middle East and Africa. Financial terms of the
transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to
close by month’s end. The company will continue to operate under
the Synergy brand for an undetermined period and will report into
the EMEA division of Global Knowledge, as led by Richard
Pryor-Jones, President EMEA.
With offices in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt,
SPS offers a range of certification training programs, including
those from Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft, Nortel, and International
Standard for Information Security throughout the region. Like
Global Knowledge, the company is a fully accredited Cisco Learning
Solutions Partner (CLSP) and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for
Learning Solutions (CPLS).
Joseph W. Cece, Chief Executive Officer and President of Global
Knowledge, said, “As Global Knowledge searched for the right
vehicle to enter the rapidly growing and strategically important
markets of the Middle East and Africa, we quickly focused on
Synergy. Melad Ghabrial, SPS President and CEO, and his team have
built Synergy into the most highly respected and well positioned
provider of IT technical and professional skills in the region. I
am delighted to welcome them to the Global Knowledge family.”
Richard Pryor-Jones added, “Global Knowledge and Synergy are an
excellent fit in every respect. We have a similar business culture
and approach to our customers; both companies occupy the leading
positions in their respective markets and we have both established
significant relationships with leading IT vendors, particularly
Cisco, Microsoft, and Nortel.”
“I’m delighted with the prospect of the Synergy team joining us.
They’ll be an important asset to our company and our customers. In
particular, I believe that Melad will bring immense experience to
the EMEA Operating Board which will help us in all aspects of the
new Global Knowledge EMEA organisation. Our key vendor partners
have been aware of our discussions and are extremely supportive of
the transaction,“ added Pryor-Jones.
“The acquisition by Global Knowledge is a very exciting
development for both SPS and its customers. It will enable us to
make further investments in facilities and resources and deliver
more choice and an even higher level of quality and professionalism
to our customers all over the Middle East and Africa. It will also
allow SPS to share resources with Global Knowledge globally,” said
Ghabrial.
SPS already provides IT training through partners in countries
in which it does not have a permanent location. SPS employees and
management will continue running the business as usual. Global
Knowledge and SPS will be looking to make further investments in
the company both to establish a presence in more countries within
the region and to provide additional resources and support to
existing locations, partners, and customers. The two companies will
also seek to share best practices in IT training and develop a
consistent curriculum of courses designed to meet the needs of the
dynamic and rapidly-expanding markets in the Middle East and
Africa.
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Photo caption – From left, Andy Boyle, CFO -
Global Knowledge (EMEA); Melad Ghabrial, President and CEO - SPS;
and Richard Pryor-Jones, President - Global Knowledge
(EMEA).
About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is the largest privately held provider of training
and enterprise learning services for information technology (IT)
and management professionals. The company offers a broad array of
hands-on IT, project management, professional skills, and business
process training featuring proprietary core and custom curriculum,
as well as content from leading companies, including Cisco,
Microsoft, Nortel, and Red Hat. Delivered in classrooms, at private
facilities, or over the Internet, Global Knowledge has helped
Fortune 500 companies, organizations, and government agencies
leverage learning to turn knowledge into productivity for
employees, customers, and channel partners. Founded in 1995, Global
Knowledge employs more than 1,100 people worldwide and is
headquartered in Cary, N.C. The company is owned by New York-based
investment firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson, and Stowe. For more
information visit www.globalknowledge.com.
About Synergy Professional Services
SPS is based in Dubai Knowledge Village in the United Arab Emirates
with offices in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in addition to a group of
appointed Sponsored Organizations spanned across the Middle East
and Africa. SPS is focused on meeting the growing need for
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expertise in both
global and local markets through providing its clients with
Consultancy, Training and Education and Technical Support Services
thus enabling its clients to accelerate their business growth
through more effective use of ICT in their respective industry. SPS
boasts the largest remote lab and training facility in the
Africa/Middle East region with more than 4 million US$ worth of
equipment. Hosted at Dubai Knowledge Village, the facility has the
capacity to run over 30 advanced Cisco Labs/courses in parallel per
week and support all SPS branches and international affiliates.
The company has been recognized by top technology vendors:
“Cisco Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence – 2006 and 2007”,
“Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year for Technology Innovation
in Learning Solutions – 2005”, “Most Valuable Microsoft Certified
Partner for Learning Solutions – 2005” in Egypt and “Best Microsoft
Certified Partner for Learning Solutions - 2003 and 2004” in Egypt.
Learn more at www.synergyps.org.
Contacts:
Global Knowledge USA
Linda Palmer
Tel: 919-460-3269
Email: linda.palmer@globalknowledge.com
Global Knowledge EMEA
Harminder Sangha
Tel: +44 (0) 118 9121839
Email: harminder.sangha@globalknowledge.net
Synergy Professional Services
Talal Thabet
Tel: + 20 (2) 290-2163
Email: tthabet@synergyps.org