Securing the long-term future of our clients

Eversheds Sutherland advises Richmond University on strategic partnership with CEG

Eversheds Sutherland has advised Richmond, the American International University in London, on a strategic partnership with China Education Group Holdings Limited (CEG) to secure the continuing future of the University.

The new partnership with CEG, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange and is at the forefront of private higher education in China and Australia, will allow Richmond to expand its international vision, making the University’s UK and US liberal arts degrees even more accessible to students across the globe.

Richmond’s students will also benefit from access to CEG’s international portfolio of universities, including global learning and knowledge sharing, internships and exchange programmes, and greater reach in international marketing and recruitment.

The Eversheds Sutherland team was led by corporate Partner Glynne Stanfield, who also brokered the introduction between Richmond and CEG. The wider team comprised Partners Stan Freeman (education regulatory, US), Gary Delderfield (pensions), Chris Mordue (employment), and Senior Associates Thomas Pollitt (corporate) and Siân Jones-Davies (employment).

Glynne Stanfield, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“We are thrilled to have advised, guided and supported Richmond on this deal - a strategically significant milestone, critical to its future as an institution, and completed despite the current challenging economic market conditions.”

Prof. Phil Deans, President of Richmond, The American International University in London, commented:

“Eversheds Sutherland has gone far beyond its role of trusted legal advisor; from their introduction to CEG, to the high level of legal technical excellence that each of the team displayed throughout the deal process, its consistent execution of client service excellence is second to none. We look forward to continuing to work with Glynne and the team.”

Richmond will remain as an independent self-governing not-for-profit entity. Its Board of Trustees, further strengthened by higher education management expertise from new independent and internal members, will continue to lead and govern the University.

CEG was advised by Wells Advisory and for legal matters by Pinsent Masons.