{"id":12033,"date":"2026-03-31T12:30:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eylaw.at\/?p=12033"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:32:08","slug":"ey-law-advises-st-gilgen-international-school-on-partnership-with-schools-group-cognita","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eylaw.at\/en\/ey-law-advises-st-gilgen-international-school-on-partnership-with-schools-group-cognita\/","title":{"rendered":"EY Law advises St\u202fGilgen International School on partnership with schools group Cognita"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Global schools group Cognita has taken a majority stake in St.\u202fGilgen International School in Salzburg. EY\u202fLaw\u202fAustria advised the school and the parent\u2011founded foundation behind it on the transaction, which completed in March 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cognita makes its first investment in Austria<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 2008, St. Gilgen International School is an international day and boarding school in the Salzburg region. The school teaches the International Baccalaureate curriculum and currently educates approximately 230 students, representing more than 35 nationalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Cognita is one of the world\u2019s leading schools groups, supporting a network of 90 schools across more than 20 countries and employing more than 22,000 staff worldwide. St\u202fGilgen International School becomes Cognita\u2019s first school in Austria. Under the transaction, Cognita has acquired a majority shareholding, while the St.\u202fGilgen International School Private Foundation remains invested as a minority shareholder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transaction reflects continued international interest in Austria as a stable and well\u2011regulated environment for international schooling, underpinned by high academic standards and long\u2011term institutional continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comprehensive advice by EY Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EY\u202fLaw\u202fAustria advised St.\u202fGilgen International School throughout the transaction. The mandate encompassed all corporate, regulatory and transaction\u2011related aspects. \u201cThis was a particularly meaningful mandate for us as a firm. Education is, by its nature, a long\u2011term investment,\u201d said Dr Katrin\u202fSpeigner, Partner at EY\u202fLaw. \u201cThe involvement of an internationally experienced schools group supports the school\u2019s continued development and strengthens Salzburg\u2019s standing as a region and as a centre for education.\u201d The transaction was advised by Katrin\u202fSpeigner and Teresa\u202fBell from EY\u202fLaw\u2019s M&A team. Maximilian\u202fBell advised on corporate law matters, while Tobias\u202fScheufler advised on the real estate elements of the transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n