UPP’s genuine university partnerships have secured its position as a leading adviser to the HE sector. A strong communications strategy and collaborative research continue to support the company in its ambitious plans for the future.
Media Centre
08/02/2010 - UPP Success in National League Table of Private Equity Backed Firms
UPP has been ranked fifth in the annual 2010 Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100 league table, with one of the fastest growing profits of a private equity backed firm. The list, which is run by Fast Track and is published today (7 February 2010) by The Sunday Times, compares the profit growth of private equity backed businesses over the last two years.
UPP, owned by Barclays Private Equity, is the leading provider of university campus infrastructure, student accommodation and asset management services. UPP’s unique model is based on long-term partnerships with universities and involves the company designing, financing and operating campus infrastructure. With EBITDA* of 126.77% over the last two years and EBITDA of £31.8 million for the financial year ending 2009, UPP is now one of the UK’s most successful private equity backed firms.
Sean O’Shea, Chief Executive of UPP, said:
“This is a real testament to the ongoing strength of our business model and our expertise in delivering campus infrastructure, student accommodation and asset management services. Our partnership approach, working with world renowned universities, delivers robust, long-term income streams at a time when investment in the Higher Education sector is of growing importance. We are delighted to have our financial performance, the investment of Barclays Infrastructure Funds and the hard work of all our staff recognised in this way.”
UPP’s record profit growth was driven by the strong performance of the company’s cash flow based assets, the construction of over 3,000 new student rooms during the last year alone, acquisitions and the improved efficiency in service delivery and procurement practices. UPP has invested over £1 billion into the Higher Education sector and plans to invest a further £1 billion in the next two years.
UPP starting the academic year 2009/10 with a sector leading occupancy level of 100% across its portfolio of almost 19,000 student rooms and a projected rent roll of approximately £75 million for the year. UPP’s success is continuing with strong performance across the business and the delivery of large scale transactions with University partners. For example, since the 2009 financial year end, UPP completed a £133 million transaction (financed by Barclays and RBS) with the University of Exeter and a £115 million transaction (financed by Barclays, RBS and the Bank of Scotland) with the University of Nottingham, drawing almost quarter of a billion pounds of private investment into the Higher Education sector in less than three months.
UPP is currently engaged in development projects at the University of Exeter with construction partner Cowlin Construction (part of Balfour Beatty) and the University of Nottingham with construction partner Mansell plc (part of Balfour Beatty). UPP now has partnerships with 11 of the UK’s best performing universities and has a strong pipeline of development projects.
*EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Ian Lindsley, Fran O’Leary, Martha Dalton, Jefferson Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 7256 8912
Notes to Editors
1. UPP
University Partnerships Programme (UPP) is the trading name of UPP Group Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries. It specialises in funding, developing and operating student accommodation and campus infrastructure schemes as well as delivering asset management services. It has invested almost £1 billion in the Higher Education sector and plans to invest a further £1 billion over the next two years.
www.upp-ltd.com
2. Fast Track
Fast Track is an Oxford-based networking events and research company with 13 years’ experience publishing league tables ranking Britain’s top-performing private companies, and organising events for entrepreneurs to network and meet our sponsors.
The company was founded and is run by Dr Hamish Stevenson, who is also an associate fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford University.
www.fasttrack.co.uk
3. The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100
The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 league table ranks Britain's 100 private equity- backed companies with the fastest-growing profits (EBITDA). Buyout Track 100 is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each February, with an awards event in March and regional dinners throughout the year. This is the fourth year of the Sunday Times Buyout Track 100.
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