Milliyet – A US-based private equity firm has ventured into the Turkish education sector by buying stakes from a local school chain, Bahcesehir College, owned by the businessman Enver Yucel. The Carlyle Group has reportedly filed an application to the Turkish Competition Board for the acquisition of more than 50 percent of the shares in the institution.
Carlyle Group is also a partner of Medical Park in Türkiye, a healthcare company operating a hospital chain, having acquired 40 percent of its shares in late 2009. The group lists Türkiye as a priority market for its USD 500 million fund designated for the region, according to an earlier statement by Can Deldag, the firm’s Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Bahcesehir College has 59 schools in 20 Turkish provinces providing primary education. The company also operates a university and university preparatory schools.