London (UK), November 2018 - Learning Technologies Group plc ("LTG"), an integrated talent management and learning technologies software and services provider, has announced the acquisition of the remaining 73% of Watershed Systems, Inc. Watershed, a global market leader in corporate learning analytics, has proven ability to harness data about learners to analyse and assess the impact of learning on organisational performance.
Watershed introduces a range of capabilities to LTG's portfolio of best-of-breed digital learning and talent businesses, which includes LEO Learning, gomo, Eukleia, PRELOADED, Rustici Software, PeopleFluent, and Affirmity.
Expanding on Watershed's existing partnerships with LEO Learning and PeopleFluent Learning (formerly NetDimensions), Watershed's innovative technology is expected to be integrated within existing LTG products, as well as into future product innovations by the Group.
As a wholly owned business within LTG, there are compelling and immediate opportunities to develop new routes to market for Watershed's product offering, enabling it to grow quickly and gain further market share.
Widely recognised as one of the world's first learning analytics platforms, LTG invested in Watershed in 2016. Despite operating separately, Watershed has created significant value for the Group, with collaborations enabling clients to measure the business impact of global learning programmes. This includes Watershed and LEO Learning's 'measuring the business impact of learning' research, currently collecting data for its third survey report.
"We're excited to bring Watershed's innovative product offering fully into LTG, as well as integrate its revolutionary technology with other Group companies to better serve our customers," said Learning Technologies Group's Chief Innovation and Product Officer, Tim Martin. "Watershed will continue to work with a range of clients and partners, some of whom are competitors to LTG companies. We will continue to provide clients with the best solution to their challenges, only offering LTG's software where it is the best option for the client's problem."
Watershed co-founder and LTG Chief Innovation and Product Officer, Tim Martin, is to oversee Watershed, stepping in for current CEO, Mike Rustici, who will be leaving the business for health reasons. Martin is expected to continue in his current role overseeing product innovation within the Group's portfolio.
"I am delighted to welcome our Watershed colleagues to the Group," said Jonathan Satchell, Chief Executive of Learning Technologies Group. "In today's data-focused workplace, measurement and analytics are essential to the success of an organisation. Our clients are highlighting the requirement for an integrated learning ecosystem consisting of tools and purpose-built software to accommodate their processes. Watershed plays a crucial role in this ecosystem by comprehending and consolidating an organisation's understanding of their various learning initiatives and then helping to relate that back to the goals of the wider business."
By becoming part of LTG, Watershed will be able to leverage Group expertise and offer enhanced service to its growing list of clients, which includes Visa, Verizon, Caterpillar, and PwC.
