ACNT Joins Think: Education Group
THINK: EDUCATION GROUP ACQUIRES AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF NATURAL THERAPIES
• Australasian College of Natural Therapies joins Australia’s leading education group
• Fourth acquisition in 12 months for innovative education investment group
• Think: Education Group to drive growth through new programs; focus on higher education
3 October 2007
Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT) is set to enter a new era of growth and expansion with the announcement today of its acquisition by education investment company Think: Education Group.
Sydney icon ACNT is one of Australia’s best known education providers, offering courses in healthcare, beauty and fitness. ACNT also operates a popular student clinic and retail division from its extensive campus in Surry Hills, Sydney. Founded in 1982 by Frieda and Peter Bielik, this is the first time ACNT has changed hands, with the new management planning to expand the college’s offerings and introduce bachelor degrees.
For Think: Education Group, ACNT represents the fourth acquisition in less than 12 months. Think: Education Group has established one of Australia’s leading private education and training groups through the acquisition, growth and development of high-quality education businesses. Over 2,500 students now study within the Think: Education Group in Sydney.
In November 2006, Think: Education Group acquired the iconic Billy Blue group of colleges and in May 2007 acquired APM Training Institute. The Group also owns the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology, which is the Australian partner of Edinburgh Business School, the Graduate School of Business of Heriot Watt University (Scotland). Edinburgh Business School operates the world’s second largest online MBA program.
The directors of Think: Education Group include Robert Gavshon (Chairman), Mark Rohald, Anthony Böhm, Milton Levine and Sam Linz. The operating executives of Think: Education Group include Mr Rohald, a co-founder and Director of Educor, a global listed education group, and Mr Bohm, former Vice President of US education giant Kaplan Inc. Mr Linz and Mr Gavshon are best known as the co-founders of Rebel Sports and Barbeques Galore. Mr Levine is Chairman of Chester Finance Group.
After leading the organisation for four years, ACNT’s Managing Director Danny Bielik will move into a consulting role with the Think: Education Group. Mark Rohald, CEO of Think: Education Group and Jenny Jenkins, Head of William Blue School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management will take over day-to-day management of ACNT while the Group recruits a new college director.
Mark Rohald, CEO of Think: Education Group, said ACNT was an ideal addition to the Think: Education Group:
“We are delighted to welcome ACNT, which has an unmatched reputation in the wellness and spa industries. Over the past 25 years, ACNT has developed a portfolio of world-class programs and established itself as an education icon. Now, as part of the Think: Education Group, ACNT will have access to a greater range of opportunities for students, staff and and organisational development. This is a platform asset which will provide us with tremendous opportunities in the healthcare space going forward
“We will retain ACNT’s dedicated team which has been a critical factor in its success to date. In addition, we will be working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure our offerings reflect their constantly evolving needs. There are already new programs in development which will only add to ACNT’s already excellent reputation.”
Frieda Bielik, founder of ACNT, said that Think: Education Group was the right company to take the College to the next level:
“In our discussions with Think: Education Group, it became clear to us that they share a similar vision for ACNT – in particular, our commitment to delivering exceptional graduate outcomes through teaching excellence and engaging with our professions. The new executive team brings both passion for education and deep business experience to ACNT, and the ability to help it grow further.
”Currently, ACNT offers Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in areas such as naturopathy, homeopathy, remedial massage, nutrition, western herbal medicine, beauty therapy, spa therapy and fitness. Plans are currently underway for the development of a suite of new programs, including bachelor degree programs.
Mr Rohald concluded:“
We are pleased with the current direction of the Think: Education Group and we intend further expansion through acquisition and organic growth.”