Global Knowledge Acquires Synergy Professional Services 

Acquisition provides expansion into the growing markets of Middle East and Africa

Cary, N.C. and Wokingham, UK – September 4, 2007 – Global Knowledge, the largest privately held provider of training and enterprise learning services for information technology (IT) and management professionals, announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Synergy Professional Services (SPS).  SPS, a privately owned business headquartered in Dubai, 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, as led by Richard Pryor-Jones, President EMEA.

With offices in United Arab Emirates, 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. 

About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is the largest privately held provider of training and enterprise learning services for information technology (IT) and management professionals. The company offers a broad array of hands-on IT, project management, professional skills, and business process training featuring proprietary core and custom curriculum, as well as content from leading companies, including Cisco, Microsoft, Nortel, and Red Hat. Delivered in classrooms, at private facilities, or over the Internet, Global Knowledge has helped Fortune 500 companies, organizations, and government agencies leverage learning to turn knowledge into productivity for employees, customers, and channel partners. Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more than 1,100 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, N.C. The company is owned by New York-based investment firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson, and Stowe. For more information visit http://www.globalknowledge.com/.

About Synergy Professional Services
SPS is based in Dubai Knowledge Village in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in addition to a group of appointed Sponsored Organizations spanned across the Middle East and Africa. SPS is focused on meeting the growing need for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expertise in both global and local markets through providing its clients with Consultancy, Training and Education and Technical Support Services thus enabling its clients to accelerate their business growth through more effective use of ICT in their respective industry. SPS boasts the largest remote lab and training facility in the Africa/Middle East region with more than 4 million US$ worth of equipment. Hosted at Dubai Knowledge Village, the facility has the capacity to run over 30 advanced Cisco Labs/courses in parallel per week and support all SPS branches and international affiliates.

The company has been recognized by top technology vendors: “Cisco Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence – 2006 and 2007”, “Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year for Technology Innovation in Learning Solutions – 2005”, “Most Valuable Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions – 2005” in Egypt and “Best Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions - 2003 and 2004” in Egypt. Learn more at http://www.synergyps.org/.

Contacts:
Global Knowledge USA
Linda Palmer
Tel: 919-460-3269
Email: linda.palmer@globalknowledge.com

Global Knowledge EMEA
Harminder Sangha
Tel: +44 (0) 118 9121839
Email: harminder.sangha@globalknowledge.net

Synergy Professional Services
Talal Thabet
Tel: + 20 (2) 290-2163
Email: tthabet@synergyps.org