Anglia Ruskin University – Sale of Ixion to Shaw Trust

BACKGROUND

Ixion Holdings is a not-for-profit organisation working in the employment, justice, innovation, business start-ups and skills sectors. Ixion was a subsidiary of East Anglia-based Anglia Ruskin University.

Bristol-based Shaw Trust provides employment opportunities, skills development training and health and well-being services across the UK.

The two organisations had formed a joint venture and were starting to work successfully together.  This joint venture, along with the remaining Ixion business, was acquired by Shaw Trust.

BUSINESS NEEDS

Whilst the buyer for Ixion was the obvious joint venture partner, Anglia Ruskin University required DTE’s experience and expertise in assessment of value and general transactional assistance throughout the process.

DTE SOLUTION

Due to the close relationship between Anglia Ruskin University and Shaw Trust, DTE needed to adopt a collaborative yet formal approach between the two parties. DTE assisted with providing information to allow the parties to agree on a fair value, project management of the due diligence process and provided comfort to the Anglia Ruskin Board that the transaction met their own core objectives.

The successful transaction led to a new partnership that would enable Shaw Trust and Ixion to strengthen their vision together, further supporting service users across the UK to reach their full potential and build successful careers.

Following the acquisition, Ixion became part of the wider Shaw Trust group. Ixion’s management board remained unchanged and collaborated to make sure of a seamless integration of both businesses.