Maven backs creative sector college plans

Glasgow-headquartered Maven Capital Partners has completed a £1.1 million investment in a private higher education college in a move that will support the opening of a new campus on the south coast of England.

Waterbear Education provides a range of degree courses across the creative industries in partnership with the University of Chichester. The funds will be used to help set up and roll out Waterbear’s primary campus in Brighton and support the opening of additional campus locations in the future.

The degree courses, which offer bachelor and masters qualifications for musicians, artists and entrepreneurs, will be accredited and validated by the University of Chichester. The syllabus combines virtual online and physical on-site learning.

Dale Bellis, investment manager at Maven, said: “The Waterbear management team has identified a substantial gap in the market to offer industry-specific degree courses in the creative sector to support its greatest talents and ensure that students are able to capitalise on these skills in the workplace.

“There has been limited innovation in creative industries higher education over the past ten years.”

Bruce John Dickinson, founding director at Waterbear, added: “The investment team at Maven demonstrated an immediate understanding of our business model and has been hugely supportive from the outset.

“We look forward to working with Dale and the team over the coming years.” 0 Dale Bellis: ‘substantial gap in the market’