It started as a construction company 180 years ago. Now, Pearson is the world’s largest educational publisher, making decisions that reflect Christian principles.

In 2024, British education company Pearson saw quite a growth, with new AI study tools driving sales upward. Over 5 million students worldwide interacted with these features over the few months. 

“I see that as a very nice indicator of the kinds of deals that you'll see us do more of in the future,” Pearson CEO Omar Abbosh says.

Samuel Pearson, the English entrepreneur who started the company in 1844 as a civil engineering business, would never have guessed how his small venture would evolve nearly two centuries later.

Pearson has ventured into many different fields over its existence. For its first 80 years, the company mainly focused on building and engineering, including brickmaking and acting as “sanitary tube and brick makers, and contractors for local public works in and around Bradford” in England.

Then, Pearson got its first ‘one of the world's largest’ but as a construction company, building tunnels, dry docks, canals, and railways worldwide.

King George Dock, Hull Port

From dry docks to books

After shutting down its construction business in the 1920s, Pearson dabbled in various industries – manufacturing, electricity, oil, banking, financial services, coal, and even aviation. 

The company didn’t go all in on publishing and education right away; rather, it slowly shifted in that direction. After World War II, Pearson faced challenges, including the nationalization of its coal and electricity businesses. Thus, the company transitioned to acquiring media assets, starting with the Financial Times in 1957 and a stake in The Economist. A decade later, Pearson acquired the publisher Longman, marking a deeper move into educational publishing. 

By 1969, Pearson had become a public company, focusing on media and education. This area became the company's long-standing focus, later transforming it into a game-changer that shapes the future of learning for millions.

“We help people realize the life they imagine through learning,” Pearson says. 

Today, this almost $9 billion company operates in the consumer discretionary sector, with around 20,000 employees.

Pearson Headquarters, London, UK

With a presence in over 70 countries, including regions across Europe, Asia, and South America, Pearson makes textbooks and e-books, and even online schools. It offers online courses and learning platforms, assessment tools for teachers, educational software and apps, and training resources for educators. Pearson also has a credentialing marketplace and owns Edexcel, a British education and exam board.

Pearson today is undoubtedly a very different company, but “imagination in harnessing new technologies, bravery of vision, and decency to the people” still underpin “everything we do over a century and a half later,” they say.

Learning for a better world

Pearson may not explicitly position itself as a company grounded in Christian values, but we all know what speaks louder than words. Its commitment to faith-based principles is evident throughout its history. 

At the heart of Pearson's mission is a belief in making education accessible and inclusive for everyone. This commitment truly shines through in their Inclusive Access initiative.

Pearson Inclusive Access “is partnered with over 600 institutions to deliver all students faster access to required learning materials on the first day of class at a substantial discount off the price of traditional print materials.” 

Since 2015, over 3.9 million learners have enrolled in more than 7.3 million courses using the Inclusive Access models. This initiative has allowed them to save up to 68% compared to traditional textbook prices.

At Alabama’s Auburn University alone, Pearson's efforts have saved students nearly $1 million since 2014, embodying the Christian value of stewardship by making education affordable for all.

“Learning itself is the greatest force for change in our world and helping people gain knowledge and skills is, inherently, a way to improve our planet and our society,” Pearson says.

In India, Pearson supports over 5,000 universities, providing essential resources and training for educators across the country.

Under CEO Omar Abbosh's leadership since January 2024, Pearson has stepped up its digital efforts. With platforms like Pearson+ and Revel, the company is making learning materials more flexible and affordable for students at 980 institutions worldwide. 

This approach promotes fairness and service and aims to support underserved communities, reflecting a commitment to helping those in need.

Not just business

Pearson’s commitment to ethical practices goes beyond merely making education accessible. The company integrates values of charity and service into its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

This commitment is exemplified through partnerships with organizations like UNESCO, which focus on improving literacy and digital learning in underserved communities. They aim to dismantle barriers to quality education.

A standout initiative is “Project Literacy,” a collaboration between Pearson and UNESCO. This project has supported programs that directly benefit over 650,000 learners and has engaged with social enterprises that are enhancing literacy access for more than 44 million people worldwide. 

The project focused particularly on developing countries and regions, including Afghanistan, Central America, India, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, South Africa, Syria (refugees in Türkiye), and Uganda.

In 2020, Jennifer Young Perlman, then Pearson’s Director of Social Impact & Innovation, stated, “As a campaign and a network, we are encouraged that the number of people unable to read and write globally has decreased over the last five years – from 781 million to 750 million.”

Pearson emphasizes the role of education in empowering individuals and communities. This commitment fosters an inclusive environment where everyone can learn and grow. This mission reflects Christian values of compassion and service to others.

What else aligns with Christian values is Pearson’s dedication to environmental stewardship. The company aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and has reported a 16% reduction in emissions compared to 2022. This commitment reflects Pearson's focus on responsible practices and care for the environment.

Many employees at Pearson have been with the company for years, reflecting its strong workplace culture. Some individuals have dedicated decades to their careers here, which speaks to Pearson's ability to retain talent and create a supportive environment for professional growth.

Beyond profit

Pearson shows how a company can blend Christian values with business success through its commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and ethical practices. By championing educational equity, promoting sustainability, and nurturing a supportive workplace culture, Pearson not only advances education but also inspires others in the industry.