University Partnerships Programme ranked among top private equity backed firms

The University Partnerships Programme (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.

UPP, owned by Barclays Private Equity, designs, finances and operates campus infrastructure, student accommodation and asset management services.

Over the last three years it has had profit growth of 413% and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of £31.8m for the financial year ending 2009. This makes it one of the UK’s most successful private equity backed firms.

Sean O’Shea, chief executive of UPP, said: “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."

UPP is currently engaged in development projects at the University of Exeter with construction partner Cowlin Construction, the University of Nottingham with construction partner Mansell and at Nottingham Trent University.

UPP now has partnerships with 11 of the UK’s best performing universities and has a strong pipeline of development projects.