Building a student‑first international education group.
Skilled Education Global (SEG) is an innovative higher education group backed by Oakley Capital. We partner with exceptional universities and education institutions and support them with long-term capital, executive expertise, technology, digital learning infrastructure and career partnerships.
New as a group. Experienced where it matters.
SEG is being built with a clear ambition: to create a high-quality international education group that puts students first while respecting the identity, governance and academic independence of every institution it supports.
While SEG is newly established, its leadership team brings decades of proven experience in building, scaling and supporting education businesses internationally. In previous roles, members of the team have helped empower more than 1 million students, supported education and training activity across 70+ countries, and contributed to the growth of major private education groups, online learning platforms and technology-enabled education businesses.
SEG’s first institution is Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna, marking the official launch of the group’s higher education platform.
“Education has the power to transform lives and shape our world. At Skilled Education, we are pioneering a bold new model of higher education with healthcare at its heart - one that is relentlessly student-centric, driven by innovation and uncompromising in quality.”
- Kevin Lynch, Managing Director & Founder
6,000
Students
2026
Founded
6
Campuses
Support that strengthens institutions and improves student outcomes.
SEG supports universities with practical capabilities that help institutions develop sustainably over time, strengthen the student journey and prepare graduates for meaningful, in-demand careers.
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01
Capital
Long-term investment to support institutional development, quality, infrastructure, digital capability and growth, with a flexible investment model that can be tailored to the preferences of each institution.
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02
Operational optimisation
Technology, student experience, marketing, digital infrastructure and career readiness.
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03
Education Expertise
A senior management team with experience building and scaling education businesses, online platforms, international partnerships and student support models.
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04
Local Autonomy
A clear commitment that universities retain academic independence, local governance, institutional identity and accountability.
We support universities without replacing what makes them distinctive.
Every university has its own culture, history, academic profile, leadership and regulatory environment. SEG's role is not to impose a generic model. Our role is to understand what makes each institution strong and provide support where it can create meaningful value.
We work with universities to strengthen student experience, institutional resilience, operational performance, digital capability, career relevance and long-term development.
Academic decisions remain with the appropriate university bodies. Local leadership, quality assurance and regulatory obligations remain central to each institution.
Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna is SEG’s first institution and marks the launch of the group’s international higher education platform.
SFU has a distinctive academic profile in medicine, psychotherapy science, psychology and dentistry complemented by a multi-campus presence across Europe.
SEG will support SFU’s future development and further internationalisation while preserving its culture, academic independence, autonomy and high standards.
Focused on healthcare and health technology
SEG has a particular focus on healthcare and health technology education. These fields require academic rigour, professional standards, qualified faculty, clinical and practical relevance, responsible use of technology and deep respect for public trust.
The world is facing a critical and urgent shortage of healthcare professionals. WHO estimates a projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, mostly in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Recent analysis of the WHO African Region points to a needs-based shortage of approximately 6.1 million health workers by 2030 if current trajectories continue.
For students, this creates a powerful opportunity to enter stable, in-demand professions where they can make a genuine difference to people’s lives. We are committed to helping address these global skill shortages by partnering with exceptional institutions and equipping the next generation of students with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to excel in vital, life-changing careers.
Academic independence is central to our model.
Universities are not ordinary assets. They carry responsibility to students, faculty, staff, regulators, employers, patients, professional bodies and society. SEG is committed to preserving the academic independence, autonomy, local accountability and institutional identity of the universities it supports.
Our role is to provide capital, expertise, operational support, technology and strategic expertise. Academic decisions remain with the appropriate institutional bodies.
Backed by Oakley Capital. Built by education operators.
SEG is backed by Oakley Capital, one of Europe's leading private equity firms with extensive education expertise.
Oakley's backing provides SEG with a strong foundation for long-term growth. SEG is led by its own highly experienced management team.
