Times Higher Education has acquired the Education World Forum (EWF), a three-day event taking place this week at London’s QEII Centre.
The deal, which sees the 20-year-old government-backed summit become part of the Times Higher Education stable of over 150 annual events for education leaders and learners, was announced during this morning’s opening plenary of EWF 2024.
Overseeing the integration of EWF into its new ownership is Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer, responsible for Times Higher Education’s government division, which works with education ministers across the globe to deliver strategic guidance and policy analysis.
EWF was initially created with Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in 2004 and formerly run by Dominic Savage OBE, the former director general of the British Educational Suppliers Association. Savage, will remain with the company under its new ownership, alongside programme director, Gavin Dykes.
Savage said: “I am delighted that Times Higher Education will take over the reins at EWF. It was of paramount importance to us that we reached out to a company which recognises the unique nature of the Forum and shares our values and objectives for its future. Times Higher Education already has a brilliant history of developing global summits for the education sector, so I do not doubt that EWF is in good hands. I look forward to working together with Times Higher Education on its future development.”
Last year, EWF welcomed 120 education and skills ministers, with delegations from 114 countries. Registrations were reportedly even higher this year.
Paul Howarth, CEO of Times Higher Education, said: “It is with great pride, and an enormous sense of responsibility, that Times Higher Education has taken on the mantle as the custodian of the Education World Forum. It is beyond doubt that the global collaboration and exchange of ideas that this event stimulates influences the lives of many millions of young people across the world for the better.”
Mayfield Merger Strategies managed the deal.
