ADvTECH Group
The ADvTECH Group is a JSE listed company in South Africa (JSE:ADH).{{Cite web |url=https://thepienews.com/news/south-africas-advtech-plans-east-africa-expansion/ |title=South Africa's ADvTECH plans East Africa expansion |last=Waruru |first=Maina |website=thepienews.com |date=31 August 2017 |language=en |access-date=2018-03-14}} ADvTECH operates within the education and recruitment industries in South Africa and the rest of Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20180404/281479276977547|title=Advtech bolsters presence in Africa|date=2018-04-04|via=PressReader|access-date=2018-04-19}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eprop.co.za/commercial-property-news/item/20838-advtech-properties-to-expand-asset-base-to-r6bn-by-2022.html|title=ADvTech Properties to expand asset base to R6bn by 2022 - eProperty News|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rnews.co.za/article/17953/academic-excellence-the-secret-to-advtech-schools-learners-ieb-success|title=Academic excellence the secret to ADvTECH schools learners' IEB success|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/advtech-makes-r344m-interim-profit-on-growing-tertiary-division-10875104|title=Advtech makes R344m interim profit on growing tertiary division - IOL Business Report|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/story/?resource_id=SENSIN_20171215074700_53|title=BusinessLIVE|website=www.businesslive.co.za|access-date=2018-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215150144/https://www.businesslive.co.za/story/?resource_id=SENSIN_20171215074700_53|archive-date=2017-12-15|url-status=dead}} In late 2024, it had 118 colleges and schools in Africa, including 8 universities with 33 campuses in South Africa.
History
ADvTECH is Africa's largest private education provider and{{Cite web|url=http://www.inceconnect.co.za/article/advtech-bolsters-east-african-schools|title=ADvTECH bolsters East African schools {{!}} Companies|website=www.inceconnect.co.za|language=en|access-date=2018-04-19}} the holding company of the Independent Institute of Education which operates tertiary education brands including Vega School, Capsicum Culinary Studio, Maragon Private Schools, Tyger Valley College, School of Hospitality & Service Management, Varsity College and Rosebank College.
The group operates a schools division with brands including Crawford International, Trinityhouse Schools,{{Cite web|url=http://www.trinityhouse.co.za/about-us/|title=About Us {{!}} Christian School {{!}} Trinityhouse|website=www.trinityhouse.co.za|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-18}}{{Cite news|url=https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/228643/trinityhouse-unveils-the-little-falls-high-school/|title=Trinityhouse unveils the Little Falls High School {{!}} Roodepoort Northsider|date=2016-07-25|work=Roodepoort Northsider|access-date=2018-04-18|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Abbotts Colleges, Maragon Schools, Tyger Valley College, Centurus Colleges, Junior Colleges{{cite web|title=Crawford Schools owner Advtech reports 22% rise in interim revenue|url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/193542/crawford-schools-owner-advtech-reports-22-rise-in-interim-revenue/|publisher=}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.advtech.co.za/Pages/About/Education-Brands.aspx|title=Advtech Group {{!}} Education Brands|website=www.advtech.co.za|language=en|access-date=2018-04-18}} and Makini Schools.
In late 2017 the company discovered fraud by a financial manager in its schools division.{{Cite web |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/214217/education-group-advtech-comes-clean-on-fraud/ |title=Education group ADvTECH comes clean on fraud |language=en-US |access-date=2018-03-14}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/companies/2017-12-01-advtech-to-restate-revenue-and-profit-figures-after-it-uncovers-fraud/ |title=Fraud hits Advtech stock |language=en-US |access-date=2018-03-14}} That year, it began working on a new school in Nairobi, in the special economic zone Tatu City. In 2017, the company ran 90 schools in South Africa and Botswana across 47 campuses. It had 27,000 students enrolled under seven brands. It also owned nine tertiary education brands, and was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Its CEO was Roy Douglas.
In 2018, it was expanding in Kenya and Uganda, purchasing a majority stake in the education group Scholé Ltd.https://www.reuters.com/article/advtech-ma/corrected-south-africas-advtech-expands-schools-business-into-east-africa-idINL5N1RG1H8/ Also in 2018, it acquired Monash South Africa (MSA) in Johannesburg. It had also recently acquired Capsicum Culinary Studio, The Private Hotel School and Oxbridge Academy.https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/499/181718.html It acquired a 71% stake in the Makini Schools in 2018. By 2021, its stake was 94%.
The CEO of the ADvTECH Group in 2024 was Geoff Whyte. He succeeded Roy Douglas, who retired from the position as of February of 2024. Chairman in 2024 was Chris Boulle.{{cite web |title=ADvTECH announces retirement of CEO Roy Douglas and appointment of Geoff Whyte as successor |url=https://www.advtech.co.za/advtech-announces-retirement-of-ceo-roy-douglas-and-appointment-of-geoff-whyte-as-successor#:~:text=The%20ADvTECH%20Group%20today%20announced,the%20end%20of%20February%202024. |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=ADvTECH |publisher=advtech.com}} In 2014, ADvTECH bought 100% of Flipper International School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.https://www.africaglobalfunds.com/news/private-equity/exits/saham-and-tana-exit-flipper-international-school/ The deal was for US$7.5 million.https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/education/makini-school-owner-expands-with-sh968m-ethiopia-acquisition-4836990 In April 2024, it was reported that Advtech would be expanding into health education, particularly nursing.https://thepienews.com/south-africas-advtech-group-enter-healthcare/