New Delhi :Sommet Education, the worldwide network of first-class higher education hospitality and culinary arts schools, together with Invictus Education Group, South African leading private education operator, are happy to announce that Sommet Education is acquiring a majority stake in Invictus Education alongside its historical shareholders. With this acquisition, Sommet Education is doubling its worldwide footprint, bringing the number of its campuses worldwide from nine currently to seventeen and student number from 6,000 to 9,000 students. The signing marks the start of a rapid expansion plan in South Africa and further pan-African developments.

Expansion strategy spurs growth

Sommet Education continues to consolidate its position as the leading network in hospitality education. After the acquisition of École Ducasse in 2019, the acquisition of the Invictus Education Group represents a new step forward for Sommet Education which is doubling its worldwide footprint bringing the number of its campuses worldwide from nine currently to seventeen and from 6,000 to 9,000 students. Sommet Education’s strategy leverages on expansion to support its growth through various types of opportunities, from acquisitions of local and regional hospitality education brands to investment in adjacent business lines or asset-light models.

On the occasion of the signing, Sommet Education CEO Benoît-Etienne Domenget commented: “Invictus Education Group is an amazing success story in the African education landscape. With a 25-year history on the continent, a diverse portfolio of hospitality education institutions, a very strong digital program portfolio, a highly experienced team and a robust management, a national footprint and strong pipeline, Invictus has the potential to further carry all our ambitions in the region and beyond.”

Strong development outlook

Together, Sommet Education and Invictus Education plan to develop additional campuses for the International Hotel School and one additional SAE Institute campus in South Africa. The first project under construction will be located in Benoni, South Africa and is due to open in July this year. It will be followed in 2022 by other campuses in South Africa: Nelspruit, Potchefstroom, Port Elisabeth, and Pretoria.

Mike Lambert, Invictus Founder and CEO says: “Sommet Education is the international partner we needed to support our vision and expansion plan. This alliance also means that we will be able to provide our students with access to a worldwide network of alumni and industry partners with diversified learning paths and careers, with even more opportunity to learn and thrive internationally.”

In addition to these expansion plans, the two partners are looking to implement synergies in four key areas:

–        curriculum building and faculty expertise to support the expansion of Invictus Bachelor’s Degree on which Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches have built their reputation;

–        further development of Culinary and Pastry Arts portfolio of programs relying on the know-how of École Ducasse;

–        Invictus bringing its knowledge and experience of B2B training, development and business consulting from Summit;

–        both partners will work together and share their knowledge, experience and vision on the on-line education programs and platforms.

Ambitious developments are also targeted for Africa, with a first campus opening in Kenya already scheduled for 2023.