Safanad and Ron Packard, Founder of K12 Inc., Launch Pansophic Learning and Acquire Assets from K12 to Pursue Global Education Opportunities

MCLEAN, Va., June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Safanad Limited, a global principal investment firm, and Ron Packard, K12 Inc. founder and former CEO, today announced the launch of Pansophic Learning, a new company whose mission will be to provide access to a high quality education for every student worldwide.

Pansophic Learning immediately acquired from K12 Inc. several assets including an international brick and mortar private school, a higher education platform business and the K12 business in the Middle East. Additionally, Pansophic Learning acquired licenses to curriculum and technology.  The management and staff of these acquired companies, operating out of three continents, will join Pansophic Learning upon the closing of this transaction. Pansophic Learning will expand and integrate these businesses with other targeted investments in educational products, services and schools from pre-K to college.

Pansophic Learning and its holding company, Safanad Education, a subsidiary of Safanad Limited, plan to make additional strategic and substantial education investments both in the United States and globally. Pansophic Learning will consider investments not only in the K-12 market, but also in post-secondary and early childhood education.  

Packard will lead the company, based in Mclean, Virginia, as Chief Executive Officer and will be joined by Maria Szalay, as COO, and a select management team with a strong track record of building a large education company. Pansophic Learning intends to achieve the same success by investing capital as well as providing strategic and operating expertise to education related enterprises.

Kamal Bahamdan, CEO of Safanad, said, "Pansophic Learning exemplifies Safanad's commitment to visionary and high-value investments in education that help improve the lives of children and students globally.  We feel fortunate to be able to back Ron and his team who have proven entrepreneurial and leadership skills in the sector to embark on such an important mission."

Packard stated, "Pansophic Learning is inspired by the promise that everyone should have access to a high-quality individualized education regardless of location or economic circumstances, both here in the United States and globally.  We believe there are tremendous opportunities in both technology-based education and also in businesses that aren't currently based around technology."

Packard commented further, "We are fortunate to partner with Safanad, who shares our vision, and I am excited to return to my entrepreneurial roots with this new venture. Safanad's extensive resources will allow us to pursue opportunities of all sizes."     

About Safanad Limited:

Safanad is a global principal investment firm that invests in real estate, private equity and public markets.  As principal investors, Safanad preserves and grows wealth through carefully selected investments with aligned industry partners. With offices in New York, Dubai, London and Geneva, the firm seeks to identify global investment opportunities poised to deliver consistently attractive returns, where the firm's capital and investment expertise support value creation.  Safanad's investment focus is primarily within the healthcare, education, financial services and retail sectors. The firm's investment expertise is enhanced by its relationship with the Bahamdan Group, Safanad's founding shareholder, which has over 60 years of experience in global principal investing and building strategic partnerships. 

For more information visit www.safanad.com & PansophicLearning.com

Press Contacts:

Pansophic Learning:
Regina Lewis, 703-728 -0327
[email protected]

Safanad:
Annette Bronkesh, 973-778-8648
[email protected]

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SOURCE Safanad Limited