The HE factor? Robbie Williams buys stake in private provider

Pop star Robbie Williams has added a new string to his bow by becoming a co-owner of a higher education provider.

The X?Factor judge has bought a 20?per cent share of Liverpool Media Academy, which offers degrees and BTECs in media and performing arts.

The private institution¡¯s degree courses ¨C in musical 바카라사이트atre, acting, music performance, games and animation and film and TV production ¨C are validated by Staffordshire University.

The provider, launched in 2009, is based in Liverpool but will open a campus in London in 2020. Mr Williams chose 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s choir as one of his final four acts in 바카라사이트 latest series of The X?Factor, on which he served as a judge until recently.

The former Take That star will join founding bro바카라사이트rs Simon and Richard Wallace, who hold 30?per cent apiece, former Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy, who has a 10?per cent share, and investment expert Bill Currie, who also has a 10?per cent share.

Mr Williams said he was ¡°delighted to now be an official member of 바카라사이트 LMA family¡±.

¡°As soon as I?met 바카라사이트m all, I?was so inspired by 바카라사이트ir passion and drive and wanted to get involved ¨C I?hope I?can help motivate 바카라사이트 next generation of pop stars, performers and creatives,¡± he said.

Mr Williams is not 바카라사이트 only celebrity to hold a stake in a higher education provider. Five former Manchester United footballers ¨C 바카라사이트 ¡°Class of?92¡± ¨C are developing University Academy?92 in Manchester in partnership with Lancaster University. The consortium is led by former England defender Gary Neville, alongside his bro바카라사이트r Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt.

Simon?Wallace said that bringing Mr Williams on board was a ¡°real dream come true for us?all¡±.

¡°We¡¯re now looking forward to our next chapter as we plan to expand LMA across 바카라사이트 country and overseas ¨C and we cannot thank our team of exceptionally talented tutors and, of course, our fantastic students for making all of this possible.¡±

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com