Pearson (LON: PSON) said at 9:00am today that it has agreed to acquire Workera, an AI-native skills intelligence platform. The education group, which sells learning and assessment products, will fold the business into its Enterprise Learning & Skills unit. It did not say what it is paying.
Pearson shares were quoted at 1,199p at 9:15am, down 3.5p or 0.29% from yesterday’s close of 1,202.5p. The stock has traded between 1,199p and 1,208.5p so far today, and sits 10.3% below its 52-week high of 1,337p, set intraday on 29 July.
Workera combines agentic AI, psychometrics (the science of measuring skills and knowledge) and adaptive assessment, which adjusts to each person’s answers. It tests what employees can actually do through role-specific scenarios and simulations. Pearson wants it for enterprise customers building AI-ready workforces.
“In the era of AI, an organization’s ability to assess and develop skills will be key.”
Vishaal Gupta, President, Enterprise Learning & Skills
Pearson listed four benefits for customers: a live baseline of workforce capability, including AI fluency; targeted development; verified outcomes and a defensible return on investment; and better talent decisions across hiring, internal mobility, redeployment and workforce planning.
Workera was founded in 2019 and has about 60 staff. Its customers include ServiceNow, Accenture and the US Space Force. Kian Katanforoosh, its co-founder and CEO, will join the unit’s leadership team. Pearson disclosed no price, funding arrangements or financial impact, so the deal’s size cannot be judged.
The muted move is set against a strong year. As of this morning the shares are up about 14.2% year to date from 1,050p at the end of 2025, and about 14.0% above their level a year ago. They are 37.0% above the 52-week low of 875.1p. Pearson’s market value was about £7.23bn at Monday’s close.
Pearson expects the deal to complete in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including any required regulatory filings or approvals.