Private education group Cognita has reportedly appointed bankers to explore a sale which could attract a £2bn valuation.

The group, which is backed by private equity firms KKR and EMK Capital, has appointed Barclays and Goldman Sachs to oversee its sale, Sky News reports.

Cognita was founded in 2004 in the UK with a single school, but has since expanded internationally, adding schools in countries such as Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil and Chile.

Read more: Richard Branson makes a break into private equity raising €500m fund

It currently runs 68 schools worldwide, accounting for more than 30,000 students.

According to the report, interested bidders could include education companies GEMS Education and Nord Anglia Education.

Cognita's chief executive officer (CEO) is Chris Jansen, former CEO of insurance and breakdown company the AA and a former senior executive at both British Gas and British Airways.

Cognita declined to comment.

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Private education group Cognita has reportedly appointed bankers to explore a sale which could attract a £2bn valuation.

The group, which is backed by private equity firms KKR and EMK Capital, has appointed Barclays and Goldman Sachs to oversee its sale, Sky News reports.

Cognita was founded in 2004 in the UK with a single school, but has since expanded internationally, adding schools in countries such as Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil and Chile.

Read more: Richard Branson makes a break into private equity raising €500m fund

It currently runs 68 schools worldwide, accounting for more than 30,000 students.

According to the report, interested bidders could include education companies GEMS Education and Nord Anglia Education.

Cognita's chief executive officer (CEO) is Chris Jansen, former CEO of insurance and breakdown company the AA and a former senior executive at both British Gas and British Airways. (more…)