Decision Nº M/14/009 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2016-04-16

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: Pointwell Ltd,Skillsoft Corporation
• Date: 16 April 2016
• Decision Number: M/14/009
• Status: Cleared (Phase 1)
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Date: 16 April 2016

C

Merger Notification No. M/14/009 – Charterhouse (Pointwell)/Skillsoft

DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION M/14/009 -

CHARTERHOUSE (POINTWELL) / SKILLSOFT

Section 21 of the Competition Act 2002

Proposed acquisition by Charterhouse Capital Limited through

Pointwell Limited of the Skillsoft group of compa nies

Dated 16 April 2014

Introduction

1. On 24 March 2014, in accordance with section 18 of the Competition

Act 2002 (“the Act”), the Competiti on Authority (“the Authority”)

received a notification of a propo sed transaction whereby Charterhouse

Capital Limited (“Charterhouse”) through Pointwell Limited

(“Pointwell”), would acquire SSI LuxCo II S.A. which is an indirect

parent of the Skillsoft group of companies (together “Skill soft”).

The Undertakings involved

The Acquirer

2. Charterhouse is a private equity group headquartered in London that

leads and invests in large European bu y-outs. Charterhouse has

twelve portfolio companies that are active on the island of Ireland in

the following business areas:

• insurance and travel products for people aged over 50 and

automobile breakdown services (Acromas);

• industrial safety technology for explosion-hazardous

environments (Bartec);

• electronic company, credit and financial information […];

• outside the home skin care systems […];

• environmental, healthcare, security, risk and social consulting

services (ERM);

• workplace equipment (PHS);