Edmund Lazarus founded Cognita in 2004 and grew it through acquisitions to become one of the largest independent school businesses. In 2013, he sold 50% of Cognita to KKR to fund further growth. He then worked to find the best buyer for Cognita, selling it to Jacobs Holding, a company with the financial resources and values to support Cognita's growth and educational mission, through carefully coordinated discussions with Cognita management. The transaction allowed Cognita to continue its operations with minimal disruption.

1. EDMUNDLAZARUS
Deal
Highlights:
Sale of Cognita to Jacobs Holding

2. ABOUT
COGNITA
Cognita was established
in 2004 when Edmund
Lazarus and his team
invested with the
primary objective of
building one of the best
independent schools
businesses in terms of
education efficacy.

3. Through more than
45 acquisitions,
organic growth, and
greenfield
developments,
Cognita achieved
transformational
growth.

4. In 2013, Edmund
Lazarus and EMK
Capital sold a 50%
share to KKR in 2013
to provide additional
capital for Cognita to
continue its rapid
growth.

5. Deal
Highlights
Edmund Lazarus was determined to
find the best value for Cognita’s owners
and provide Cognita with the right
owner to support its further growth
potential and commitment to
educational efficacy.
ACHIEVE BEST VALUE

6. Deal
Highlights
The company Jacobs Holding had the
depth of capital resources, commitment
to invest in the sector, and values fitted
perfectly with what Lazarus was looking
for.
JACOBS HOLDING

7. Deal
Highlights
Carefully coordinated discussions,
including full participation of Cognita’s
management team led by CEO Chris
Jansen, allowed Jacobs to deliver a pre-
emptive offer satisfactory to EMK and
KKR in advance of a full sale process.
COORDINATED DISCUSSIONS

8. Deal
Highlights
This achieved a transaction with the
least possible distraction of the Cognita
management team from delivering
inspiring education to the company’s
students.
TRANSACTION ACHIEVED

9. Edmund
Lazarus
FOUNDING
PARTNER,
EMK CAPITAL
Background
Edmund Lazarus is a
managing partner at
EMK Capital.
Projects
Learn more about
him at
EdmundLazarus.net