Global Knowledge has reached an agreement to acquire the Dubai-based Synergy Professional Services (SPS). 

Global Knowledge is a leading provider of training and enterprise learning services for information technology (IT) and management professionals and SPS provides professional and technical IT skills training, consulting and services in the Middle East and Africa.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close by month’s end.

The company will continue to operate under the Synergy brand for an undetermined period and will report into the EMEA division of Global Knowledge, led by Richard Pryor-Jones, president EMEA.

With offices in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, SPS offers a range of certification training programs, including those from Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft, Nortel, and International Standard for Information Security throughout the region. Like Global Knowledge, the company is a fully accredited Cisco Learning Solutions Partner (CLSP) and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CPLS).

Joseph W Cece, chief executive officer and president of Global Knowledge, said: “As Global Knowledge searched for the right vehicle to enter the rapidly growing and strategically important markets of the Middle East and Africa, we quickly focused on Synergy. Melad Ghabrial, SPS president and CEO, and his team have built Synergy into the most highly respected and well positioned provider of IT technical and professional skills in the region. I am delighted to welcome them to the Global Knowledge family.”

Richard Pryor-Jones added: “Global Knowledge and Synergy are an excellent fit in every respect. We have a similar business culture and approach to our customers; both companies occupy the leading positions in their respective markets and we have both established significant relationships with leading IT vendors, particularly Cisco, Microsoft, and Nortel.”

“I’m delighted with the prospect of the Synergy team joining us. They’ll be an important asset to our company and our customers. In particular, I believe that Melad will bring immense experience to the EMEA Operating Board which will help us in all aspects of the new Global Knowledge EMEA organisation. Our key vendor partners have been aware of our discussions and are extremely supportive of the transaction,” added Pryor-Jones. 

“The acquisition by Global Knowledge is a very exciting development for both SPS and its customers. It will enable us to make further investments in facilities and resources and deliver more choice and an even higher level of quality and professionalism to our customers all over the Middle East and Africa. It will also allow SPS to share resources with Global Knowledge globally,” said Ghabrial.

SPS already provides IT training through partners in countries in which it does not have a permanent location. SPS employees and management will continue running the business as usual. Global Knowledge and SPS will be looking to make further investments in the company both to establish a presence in more countries within the region and to provide additional resources and support to existing locations, partners, and customers. The two companies will also seek to share best practices in IT training and develop a consistent curriculum of courses designed to meet the needs of the dynamic and rapidly-expanding markets in the Middle East and Africa. -TradeArabia News Service