Flick Gocke Schaumburg advises PFH shareholders on merger with Galileo Global Education to develop the market leader in distance learning

The shareholders of the PFH Private University of Applied Sciences Göttingen, have concluded an agreement with a subsidiary of Galileo Global Education to acquire the university. Flick Gocke Schaumburg provided the seller with comprehensive advice on the transaction. The closing of the transaction is subject to approval by the merger control authorities and is planned for Q1/2020. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

PFH is one of the most renowned private universities in Germany. With 3,800 students in 27 on-campus and distance learning courses, it focuses on management & law, engineering and psychology. Through the merger with Galileo, internationalization and digitalization are to be promoted in order to develop a market leader for distance learning.

Galileo is Europe’s largest group of universities, both in terms of geographical distribution and the breadth of its offerings. With 42 brands, Galileo supports around 100,000 students at 82 locations in 13 countries in improving their careers and personal prospects. About 30% of students study online. Galileo focuses on interdisciplinary studies at the interface of management and the creative arts and promotes innovations required by increasing digitalization. The group includes internationally renowned universities such as the Paris School of Business (PSB), Cours Florent and Strate in France, and Istituto Marangoni and NABA in Italy.

Advisors to PFH:
Flick Gocke Schaumburg (Hamburg): Fred Wendt, Christian Zimmermann (both lead)