30/05/2025

INTERVIEW WITH CONRADO BRICEÑO: PRIVATE EQUITY, EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION, AND GLOBAL IMPACT FROM EDUCA PARTNERS

“Education is one of the few sectors where private capital can simultaneously
generate economic value and direct social impact”

Trajectory and global vision

We have the pleasure of speaking with Conrado Briceño, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the education sector, leading institutional transformation, digital innovation, and international expansion across Europe and Latin America. He is currently Managing Partner at Educa Partners, a strategic and investment advisory firm in education, where he advises funds such as KKR, TPG, TA Associates, and Partners Group on major transactions in the EMEA region.

Before founding Educa Partners, he served as President of Universidad Europea, CFO of Laureate Education in Europe, and previously COO in Latin America, managing a university network with over 240,000 students across Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.

His career began in investment banking and capital markets in Chile and the U.S., a background that strengthens his value proposition within private equity. He is a board member of the Círculo de Empresarios and has served on boards of universities, foundations, and business schools. He was also part of the selection committee of the International Youth Foundation (USA).
Conrado holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, a postgraduate degree in Philosophy from Universidad de Navarra, an MBA from Tulane University (USA), and is certified in good governance by IC-A.

Conrado, after more than two decades in education, how has your view of the role of education in social impact and national
competitiveness evolved?

My perspective has broadened and deepened: today I see education as the essential engine of social and economic development. I’ve worked in over ten countries, primarily in South America and Europe, and I’ve witnessed how expanding access transforms lives and creates opportunity.
However, access alone is no longer enough. The integration of technology, methodological innovation, and flexibility in educational models are now essential to expanding the reach and relevance of learning.

In 2017, at Universidad Europea, we launched the first online operation of a traditional university in Spain—a true academic and technological milestone. It was an experimental and challenging initiative that opened up higher education to new student segments through a more flexible offer, closely connected to lifelong learning and labor market needs. That breakthrough helped lay the foundation for the future evolution of Spain’s university system.

Today, artificial intelligence enables us to personalize the learning experience. At Educa Partners, we integrate AI in teaching, academic guidance, evaluation, and performance prediction. This work is rooted in projects with private equity funds, where differentiation is achieved through innovation, audience expansion, and a strong focus on student satisfaction and employability. Technology is the lever for a more inclusive and competitive education system.

Education must support national competitiveness by developing talent with market-relevant skills while promoting critical thinking and adaptability. That is the goal behind every project we lead.

What types of educational projects do you find most relevant today?

Those that address structural gaps. At Laureate Education, we expanded access to university education in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru through scalable, digital models aligned with labor market demand. Today it’s not just about access—it’s about connecting education with employability. We work with institutions seeking international expansion, academic modernization, and the integration of disruptive learning methodologies.

Can you highlight a personal milestone in that journey?

I would highlight my tenure as President of Universidad Europea (2016–2019), with more than 22,000 students in Spain and Portugal. I led its strategic transformation and sale process, positioning it as a sector benchmark. It was a complex and defining experience that reinforced the value of professional management, supported by a top-tier leadership team, driving innovation, digital transformation, and a strong focus on student success and employability.

Private equity and education

What has your experience with private equity in education been like?

Very positive. Private capital accelerates the sector’s modernization, especially where public universities face chronic underfunding. Additionally, the gap between academia and the job market intensifies the skills gap. Today, investing in education means betting on long-term impact and returns, while committing to quality, innovation, and inclusion.

What value does Educa Partners bring to the table?

We offer strategic vision, deep operational knowledge, and a well-established international network. In 2024, we advised on every major education transaction in Spain (Universidad Europea, Metrodora, Ilerna, UNIR), working with funds such as KKR, TPG, Partners Group, and TA Associates.

Our focus is on creating real value: we help develop commercial capabilities, optimize academic cost structures, manage accreditation processes, design academic models, and launch digital growth strategies. We collaborate from within, helping to build more sustainable, agile, and highimpact institutions.

A standout case was the sale of Kensington School in Madrid (K12) to Inspired Education Group, where we led a competitive process that ensured return, continuity, and educational reinforcement.

We also specialize in the online segment, which is projected to grow by more than 10% annually in Spain through 2030. At Educa Partners, we design and scale high-impact digital models to expand access and improve institutional efficiency.

“Private capital accelerates the modernization of the sector”

Emerging trends in Spain

What trends are reshaping higher education in Spain?

After more than a decade in the country, I see a sector undergoing deep transformation. Spain and Portugal represent a private higher education market worth over €3 billion, with an expected annual growth rate close to 10% through 2030. Private sector penetration, digitalization, and the growth of international student demand are driving this trend.

With more than 90 universities (nearly half of them private), 2,500 higher vocational training centers, and 150 business schools, the ecosystem is broad and fragmented. We are witnessing consolidation, vertical integration, and the rise of hybrid models. Simultaneously, AI is reshaping every stage of learning, but the focus must remain on the student: their success, employability, and personal development.

From a competitive perspective, private institutions with distinctive academic offerings are gaining market share, while public ones, constrained by limited budgets, struggle to adapt.

What role should private actors play?

The Spanish Constitution guarantees a mixed education system. The issue isn’t public vs. private, but rather how to ensure quality education that prepares people for a rapidly evolving environment. Private actors bring innovation, scalability, and agility—but must act responsibly, developing models that maximize employability and strengthen national competitiveness.

Spain and Portugal offer favorable conditions: strong regulatory standards that protect institutional quality, a growing market, and increasing demand for programs aligned with real-world needs. Regulation should enable this evolution, not hinder it. Today’s framework remains rigid and disconnected from students and labor dynamics. We need a more open, flexible, and impact-driven regulatory approach.

Conrado Briceño represents a new generation of education leaders: strategic vision, sharp execution, and a commitment to meaningful transformation. He has shown that the future lies in purposeful innovation, aligning education with the economy, and building public-private partnerships. At Educa Partners, he translates this vision into results: flexible, globally connected institutions focused on student success. For him, education is the ultimate lever for global competitiveness.

Download the Interview in pdf HERE