Lioncourt acquires Dublin language school
Irish investment firm Lioncourt has acquired Dublin-based English language school ECM College.
In a statement the company said the deal represents an investment of over €1m and “reflects the potential the group sees in the sector in Ireland once long awaited regulations are introduced in January 2016”.
The acquisition, which will be made through Lioncourt’s investment company The Real Experience Group, represents its first entry into Ireland’s English language education sector.
Founded in 2010 by brothers Eddie, Patrick and Ciaran O’Loughlin, ECM College has increased its turnover from circa €200,000 five years ago to €2.5m last year.
Based in Dublin city centre, the college catered for 1,200 students from Europe, Central America, South America and South Korea during 2015.
Eddie O’Loughlin will continue as Managing Director under the new structure as part of The Real Experience Group.
The 60 people currently employed by ECM will also continue in their roles.
Lioncourt is one of Ireland’s leading independent investment businesses, formed in 1998 by David Andrews and Michael Tunney.
