Management AdvisoryCompany SalesCompany Acquisitions

Momentum Corporate Finance has advised higher education data analysis specialist dataHE on its sale to Inflexion backed Times Higher Education (THE)

Deal Overview

  • Lead advisor
  • PE-backed trade acquirer
  • Long-term strategic value

Founded in 2017, dataHE is a rapidly growing provider of data-led, code-based analysis that supports universities across the UK. Its mission is to help universities use data better, with products that run in a powerful code-based environment, purpose built for higher education. dataHE was established by Mark Corver and Andrew Hargreaves, who both held executive positions within the UK admissions body UCAS prior to setting up the business.

In just five years, the team at dataHE has developed a business with a constantly evolving product offering, working with over 60 universities across the UK, as well as adjacent organisations including student accommodation providers and marketing agencies.

THE (Times Higher Education) has been at the heart of higher education for over 50 years, working with thousands of universities across the world. Its range of products and services touch all aspects of higher education, and include data benchmarking and consultancy for institutions and governments. Owned by Inflexion Private Equity, which acquired the business in February 2019, THE is headquartered in London, with offices in Australia, the US and Singapore.

The deal is the latest in a number of high-profile acquisitions by THE, and brings together two of the most innovative and trusted providers of data, tools and strategic support for universities. It further strengthens THE’s data-science capabilities, with a particular focus on helping universities analyse and optimise their place in the market, and in student recruitment and admissions.

Momentum Corporate Finance acted as lead advisor to the shareholders of dataHE, who were also advised by Roxburgh Milkins (legal) and DSA Advisory (tax).

It is rare to find such a natural match and we are immensely excited to be joining THE. We are looking forward to developing new ways of putting data to work for the benefit of universities and students in the UK and beyond.

We valued the support and advice from the Momentum team right from the start of our discussions through to the completion of the process. They were constantly available and their advice reflected the best interests of the business and shareholders – we were delighted with the outcome.

Dr Mark Corver, co-founder of dataHE

It has been a pleasure to advise the shareholders of dataHE, a business which adds tremendous value to higher education institutions right across the UK. The deal was able to achieve all of the shareholders objectives on value, structure and, cruciallly, finding a strategic partner who will allow dataHE’s rapid growth to continue. We look forward to seeing dataHE continue to grow as part of THE, backed by Inflexion.

This deal is another great example of Momentum identifying and transacting with high quality private equity backed trade purchasers, following the acquisition of Veritas by Orbis Protect, backed by Synova.

Rob Crews, Partner at Momentum Corporate Finance

I am thrilled to be working with Mark and Andrew and their exceptional team, and see dataHE’s strength in data-science and its areas of commercial focus as being the perfect complement to THE’s existing offer as a data and insights business.

Paul Howarth, CEO of THE

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