Sovereign extends modern music expertise with acquisition of Tech Music Schools

Sovereign Capital, the UK private equity Buy & Build specialist, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Tech Music Schools ("TMS"), its second investment in the UK higher education market this year.

TMS is the longest established, contemporary music provider in the UK, delivering a range of drum, vocal, keyboard and guitar courses for c 740 UK and international students from its three sites in West London.  Having started as Drumtech, a drum school, TMS has been training musicians since 1983 and has built up a strong reputation both in the UK and internationally.

All of the tutors are industry professionals and a passion for music underpins everything they do.  A series of master classes, gigs and student events augment the broad range of courses that are taught from specially equipped performance rooms, multipurpose classrooms and acoustic booths.  In addition to training each new generation of musicians, TMS provides students with the commercial and professional skills required to succeed in the international music industry.

TMS alumni include Jon Brookes of The Charlatans, Marina and the Diamonds as well as many graduates that have played for the some of the biggest acts in the world from Radiohead to Lily Allen and The Cure.

The acquisition of TMS follows Sovereign's recent investment in BIMM, a similar contemporary music group operating in Brighton and Bristol.  Together TMS and BIMM create a leading provider of specialist, vocational oriented higher education in the UK with c 1,900 students combining their musical skills with the education and training needed to achieve their aspirations.

Commenting on the transaction, Jose Rodriguez of Sovereign Capital said: "Having known TMS since 2008, we are delighted to have invested in this well regarded, dynamic music school.  Their presence in the Capital brings access to an international student base as well as the growing, live London music scene.  We look forward to sharing best practice between both TMS and BIMM and extending their combined presence in this vibrant market."