Category Archives: News

Thoma Bravo to Acquire Verint to Join Forces with Calabrio to Create an AI-Driven Customer Experience Powerhouse

Thomabravo

MINNEAPOLIS & SAN FRANCISCO—Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Verint Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNT) (“Verint”) in an all-cash transaction reflecting an enterprise value of $2 billion for the company. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close before the end of Verint’s current fiscal year, in early 2026. More details on the transaction can be found via Verint’s Investor Relations page and in its regulatory filings.

Following the close of the transaction, Calabrio and Verint will be combined into one company and will be a leading provider of Customer Experience (CX) Automation Solutions to the $50B+ market in which they serve. Together, they will offer an expansive portfolio to advance the critical priorities of CX organizations across the size and complexity spectrum. The combination will create more opportunities for companies to quickly achieve business outcomes in their interactions with customers. Calabrio is fully committed to maintaining and investing in the products that support its installed base and customers’ workflows.

“Together Calabrio and Verint will bring a powerful set of products to accelerate a shared vision: delivering an AI-powered, open CX-platform to customers who are focused on driving strong business outcomes in their operations. As a combined company we are well positioned to lead the industry forward,” said Dave Rhodes, Calabrio CEO.

Mike Hoffmann, a Partner at Thoma Bravo added: “We have been active in the CX space for many years and are excited to bring these two companies together to lead more innovation and growth in the category. Calabrio and Verint both have powerful product portfolios and go-to-market strategies that cover the needs of a wide spectrum of the market. Together, the combined company will have the industry’s broadest CX platform, enabling brands of all sizes to drive transformative, AI-driven outcomes.”

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software-focused investors in the world, with approximately $184 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025. Through its private equity, growth equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging Thoma Bravo’s deep sector knowledge and strategic and operational expertise, the firm collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices and drive growth initiatives. Over the past 20+ years, the firm has acquired or invested in approximately 535 companies representing approximately $275 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit Thoma Bravo’s website at thomabravo.com.

About Calabrio

Calabrio is a trusted ally to leading brands. The digital foundation of a customer-centric contact center, the Calabrio ONE workforce performance suite helps enrich and understand human interactions, delivering business outcomes by optimizing every customer interaction. We maximize agent performance, exceed customer expectations, and boost workforce efficiency using connected data, AI-fueled analytics, automated workforce management, and personalized coaching. Only Calabrio ONE unites workforce optimization (WFO), agent engagement, and business intelligence solutions into a cloud-native, fully integrated suite that adapts to your business. Calabrio, Calabrio ONE, and the Calabrio logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Calabrio, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. Calabrio operates in Canada under Calabrio Canada, Ltd., based in British Columbia.

Read the release on the Business Wire site here.

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Launch of Leading Aesthetics Group

Bencis

As of August 2025, six highly regarded aesthetic clinics have come together under one name: Leading Aesthetics Group.

This newly formed group represents a significant step forward in the Dutch aesthetic medicine landscape. Each clinic brings a strong local presence, a loyal client base, and a reputation for medical quality and innovation. Together, they form a platform with nationwide coverage and the shared ambition to deliver high-end, doctor-led aesthetic care centred on long-term outcomes, safety, and trust.

The Clinics
• Arthur Ludlage, Cosmetische Kliniek – Haarlem
• Amstelzijde Kliniek – Amstelveen / Amsterdam
• ClausHoltz – Amsterdam
• Gooische Rimpels – Hilversum
• Van Rosmalen Kliniek – Rotterdam / The Hague / Nijmegen
• Haarkliniek De Kroon – Breda

All clinics will continue to operate under their own established names, retaining their individual identity and local reputation. Leading Aesthetics Group will serve as the overarching organisation, providing strategic direction, shared resources and a unified vision for growth. With nine locations across densely populated areas in the Netherlands, the group ensures strong regional coverage and accessibility.

A doctor-led platform with long-term focus.
Leading Aesthetics Group is built on a shared belief in high-quality, minimally invasive treatments with a medical, personalised, and future-oriented approach.
The platform’s core treatments include injectables, advanced skin and laser therapies, and hair transplant and restoration procedures. Treatments are exclusively performed by experienced medical experts.
“Our clients aren’t looking for a single quick fix, but for a treatment plan that evolves with their needs, now and in the future,” says Nicole van Riessen-Verschure, CEO of Leading Aesthetics Group.
“It is that long-term mindset, and the trust we build along the way, that connects every clinic in our group.”
“Our founders each bring over 20 years of pioneering expertise, not just in delivering exceptional results, but in redefining what aesthetic medicine can be. Their vision sets a new standard where innovation, integrity, and long-term care converge to shape the future of high-end cosmetic treatments.” CMO (Chief medical officer) of Leading Aesthetics Group, Annemarie van Rosmalen.

Supported by Bencis – built to grow
The group is backed by investment firm Bencis which has deep expertise in scaling multi-site healthcare businesses. A clear buy-and-build strategy is in place, focused on sustainable growth and consolidation in a fragmented market, both in the Netherlands and across Europe.
Leading Aesthetics Group benefits from medical excellence, operational synergies and a shared vision for continuous innovation. Each clinic retains its unique strengths while benefiting from a unified, scalable platform.

Looking ahead
This is the beginning of a new chapter.
The group is well positioned to lead in a fast-developing market, combining medical leadership, premium positioning, and strong client relationships.
Clients will immediately benefit from the collective expertise, integrated services and ongoing innovation across the platform.
With a clear ambition, a strong foundation and a doctor-led model, Leading Aesthetics Group is set to shape the future of high-end aesthetic care in the Netherlands and beyond.

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Advent International to Acquire PatientPoint, the Point of Change company, elevating healthcare through the nation’s largest digital point-of-care engagement network

Boston, MA and Cincinnati, OH – August 25, 2025 – Advent International (“Advent”), a leading global private equity investor, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PatientPoint, Inc. (“PatientPoint” or the “Company”), the nation’s largest digital point-of-care network, strategically delivering behavior-changing content and measurable outcomes for patients, providers, and health brands, from an investor group led by L Catterton and Littlejohn & Co., LLC (“Littlejohn”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PatientPoint has more than 35 years of experience transforming the point-of-care experience by delivering actionable, educational content, and diagnostic tools to patients and healthcare providers. Through an interconnected nationwide network of 30,000 physician offices and 125,000 providers, PatientPoint delivers measurable outcomes while connecting patients, providers, and health brands with relevant information at critical moments of care. PatientPoint’s platform improves health awareness and drives positive behavior changes while enabling pharmaceutical and health brand sponsors, health associations, advocacy groups, and other organizations to reach highly targeted audiences.

Chris Comenos, Director at Advent, said, “We are thrilled to partner with PatientPoint, a leader in digital point-of-care engagement, as it continues its mission of helping patients take a more active role in understanding and managing their healthcare. We’re excited to help the Company provide increasingly targeted messaging about treatment options and advanced therapies, offering sponsors and partners more efficient, personalized, and measurable campaigns. Given the platform’s position in a patient’s healthcare journey, we also believe it has strong potential to deliver new, innovative solutions that will drive beneficial health outcomes over time.”

Carmine Petrone, Managing Director at Advent, added, “Drawing on Advent’s deep experience scaling innovative healthcare and pharmaceutical services companies, we look forward to working closely with CEO Sean Slovenski and the PatientPoint team to accelerate the Company’s network expansion and drive product innovation through this large and growing channel – delivering even greater value to providers, partners, and patients nationwide.”

Sean Slovenski, CEO of PatientPoint, said, “From the beginning, PatientPoint has been committed to a clear mission: driving better health outcomes by delivering trusted, behavior-changing education in the doctor’s office, where decisions are made. With Advent, we can accelerate growth, expand our network, and continue to deliver measurable value for providers, patients, and health brands.

“At PatientPoint, our clients and healthcare providers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Linda Ruschau, Chief Commercial Officer of PatientPoint. “This new partnership is an incredible catalyst for growth. Advent gives us the resources to innovate faster, expand our reach, and deliver even more value to our clients as they look to engage audiences at the point of care and beyond.”

“Our partnership with PatientPoint has been defined by a shared belief in its mission to transform the point-of-care experience for patients, providers, and healthcare sponsors,” said Andrew Taub, a Managing Partner at L Catterton. “We are proud to have leveraged our deep understanding of consumers to support the Company’s growth into becoming the clear market leader in patient engagement and grateful to the team for their vision and dedication.”

“PatientPoint’s growth over the past several years has been remarkable, and we have been privileged to support the Company through this important phase of its evolution,” said Drew Greenwood, Managing Director at Littlejohn. “We look forward to seeing the Company continue to expand its impact and leadership in the years ahead.”

PatientPoint will continue to be led by its existing management team, with support from Advent’s deep bench of advisors with relevant healthcare and digital expertise.

The acquisition underscores Advent’s conviction in the rapidly growing point-of-care market, which is benefiting from strong industry tailwinds as promotional spend shifts toward more digital and measurable channels. This investment builds upon Advent’s growing portfolio of healthcare and technology companies, including investments in Simtra BioPharma Solutions, Iodine (Waystar), Cohance Lifesciences (formed following the merger of Suven Pharmaceuticals), Mediq, GS Capsule, and Apollo HealthCo.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Jefferies and Citi served as financial advisors and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal advisor to PatientPoint. Solomon Partners served as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal advisor to Advent.

About Advent International

Advent is a leading global private equity investor committed to working in partnership with management teams, entrepreneurs, and founders to help transform businesses. With 16 offices across five continents, we oversee more than USD $94 billion in assets under management* and have made 430 investments across 44 countries.

Since our founding in 1984, we have developed specialist market expertise across our five core sectors: business & financial services, consumer, healthcare, industrial, and technology. This approach is bolstered by our deep sub-sector knowledge, which informs every aspect of our investment strategy, from sourcing opportunities to working in partnership with management to execute value creation plans. We bring hands-on operational expertise to enhance and accelerate businesses.

As one of the largest privately-owned partnerships, our 660+ colleagues leverage the full ecosystem of Advent’s global resources, including our Portfolio Support Group, insights provided by industry expert Operating Partners and Operations Advisors, as well as bespoke tools to support and guide our portfolio companies as they seek to achieve their strategic goals.

To learn more, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

*Assets under management (AUM) as of March 31, 2025. AUM includes assets attributable to Advent advisory clients as well as employee and third-party co-investment vehicles.

About PatientPoint

PatientPoint® is the Point of Change company, transforming the healthcare experience through the strategic delivery of behavior-changing content at critical moments of care. As the nation’s largest and most impactful digital network in 30,000 physician offices, we connect patients, providers and health brands with relevant information that is proven to drive healthier decisions and better outcomes. Learn more at patientpoint.com.

About L Catterton

L Catterton is a market-leading consumer-focused investment firm, managing approximately $37 billion of equity capital across three multi-product platforms: private equity, credit, and real estate. The firm’s funds have the ability to invest between $5 million and $5 billion, across the capital structure, in well-positioned consumer businesses. Leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad network of strategic relationships, L Catterton’s team of more than 200 investment and operating professionals across 18 offices partners with management teams to drive differentiated value creation across its portfolio. Founded in 1989, the firm has made over 300 investments in some of the world’s most iconic consumer brands. For more information about L Catterton, please visit www.lcatterton.com.

About Littlejohn & Co.

Littlejohn & Co. is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based investment firm focused on private equity and debt investments in growing middle-market industrial and services companies that can benefit from Littlejohn’s 25+ years of operational and sector expertise. With approximately $8 billion in regulatory assets under management, the firm seeks to build sustainable success for its portfolio companies through a disciplined approach to engineering change. For more information about Littlejohn, visit www.littlejohnllc.com.

Media Contacts

Advent International
Leslie Shribman
lshribman@adventinternational.com

PatientPoint
Katie Fullen
katie.fullen@patientpoint.com

L Catterton
Julie Hamilton
media@lcatterton.com

Littlejohn
Nathaniel Garnick/Grace Cartwright
Gasthalter & Co.
Littlejohn@gasthalter.com

Categories: News

Francisco Partners Completes Sale of iconectiv to Koch

Franciso Partners

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Further to the announcement on August 16, 2024, affiliates of Francisco Partners, a leading technology investment firm, today announced they have completed the sale of iconectiv, LLC, a telecommunications solutions leader, in conjunction with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), the global supplier of mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises, to Koch Equity Development LLC (“KED”), the principal investment and acquisition arm of Koch, Inc.

“We are grateful to Francisco Partners and their many years of support which has helped us reach today and our new partnership with KED,” said Richard Jacowleff, CEO of iconectiv. “Francisco Partners’ stewardship helped us expand our services, customer base and deliver quality long-term value for our shareholders. I am confident that iconectiv will thrive in this next chapter with KED and will continue to execute its long-term vision of providing reliable and trusted communications solutions to its customers globally.”

“Globalization and digitalization have and will only continue to drive the need for technological security, especially in key areas that facilitate connectivity,” said Andrew Kowal, Partner at Francisco Partners. “iconectiv is at the nexus of these trends and combined with their strong product offering and management team led by Rich, has enabled them to become an industry leader.” Deep Shah, Vice Chairman at Francisco Partners, added, “We are proud to have been able to partner with Ericsson to help iconectiv scale their business and are confident KED is the right partner to help them in their next phase of growth.”

iconectiv was acquired by Ericsson in 2012 as part of the Telcordia acquisition. Since 2017, iconectiv was co-owned by Ericsson and Francisco Partners.

Jefferies LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as financial advisors to iconectiv, and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to iconectiv.

About iconectiv

Headquartered in the United States, iconectiv market-leading solutions in information services, digital identity and numbering intelligence are used by more than 5,000 service providers, regulators, enterprises, and content providers worldwide each day to keep their networks, devices and applications connected. With an unparalleled depth of experience, iconectiv manages programs on behalf of partners including serving as the U.S. Short Code Registry Administrator, U.S. Secure Telephone Identity Policy Administrator (STI-PA) and administrator of the country’s telecommunications Relay Service for those requiring auditory or speech communication assistance to communicate. Globally, iconectiv is the Number Portability Administrator in 10 countries, including the United States.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Francisco Partners has invested in more than 450 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. With more than $50 billion in capital raised, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com.

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KKR to Present at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference

KKR

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR) announced today that Robert H. Lewin, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM ET.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investor Center section of KKR’s website at https://ir.kkr.com/events-presentations/. For those unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay will be available on the website shortly after the event.

Any questions regarding the webcast may be addressed to KKR’s Investor Relations team at investor-relations@kkr.com.

ABOUT KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

Investor Relations:
Craig Larson
+1 (877) 610-4910 (U.S.) / +1 (212) 230-9410
investor-relations@kkr.com

Media:
Julia Kosygina
+ 1 (212) 750-8300
media@kkr.com

Source: KKR & Co. Inc.

 

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Categories: News

Carlyle and amicaa Provide A$240 Million Debt Financing to Tellus

Carlyle

Sydney, Australia, August 22, 2025 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and amicaa, an Australian private credit manager, today announced they have provided an AUD240 million debt financing package to Tellus Holdings Limited (“Tellus”), a leading independent environmental services company.

 

Based in Western Australia, Tellus provides permanent disposal of hazardous waste at its flagship geological repository facility in Sandy Ridge in a safe and environmentally responsible way. Tellus’ Sandy Ridge facility, which commenced operations in 2021, is Australia’s only operational geological repository licensed to provide secure short- and long-term storage and isolation of hazardous and strategic materials.

The transaction was arranged by investment funds managed by Carlyle’s Global Credit platform and amicaa, its funds’ Australia and New Zealand joint venture partner. The debt financing will be used to refinance existing indebtedness and fund growth.

Taj Sidhu, Head of European and Asian Private Credit at Carlyle, and David Wood, Founder and CEO of amicaa, jointly commented: “We are pleased to provide Tellus with a flexible capital solution to support the company’s growth trajectory, and as it looks to expand its environmental services to customers across Australia. We believe this transaction underscores our ability to partner with leading private businesses operating in highly specialized, regulated, and complex sectors.”

Nate Smith, Managing Director and CEO of Tellus said: “We are committed to the safe and sustainable disposal of hazardous waste through innovation and environmental stewardship. We are grateful for the support from Carlyle and amicaa, as this financing will play an important role in enabling us to scale our business and the innovative solutions we provide to Australian companies that are looking to transition to the green economy in a safe and sustainable way.”

Carlyle’s Global Credit platform manages US$203 billion in assets, as of June 30, 2025. It regularly pursues investments in privately negotiated debt and capital solutions, partnering with high-quality sponsors and leading family or entrepreneur-owned companies.

In August 2022, Carlyle’s Global Credit platform and amicaa entered into a private credit joint venture arrangement covering opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on corporate borrowers.

***

About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $465 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 27 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

 

 

About amicaa
amicaa is an ANZ focus private credit and advisory business. Its investment management arm manages capital for institutional and wholesale investors seeking attractive income-oriented returns from Australian and New Zealand private debt investments into corporates. Its advisory arm provides independent advice to companies across mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and raising capital. Further information is available at www.amicaa.co. 

 

 

Media Contact

Lonna Leong

+852 9023 1157

lonna.leong@carlyle.com

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CapMan Real Estate acquires 262-unit multifamily housing development project in Stockholm

Capman

 

CapMan Real Estate acquires 262-unit multifamily housing development project in Stockholm

CapMan Real Estate, through its third value-add fund CapMan Nordic Real Estate III (“CMNRE III”, the “Fund”), has signed an agreement with leading Swedish residential developer Reliwe to forward fund the development of a 262-unit multifamily housing project in Greater Stockholm in Handen, Haninge. The project comprises 12,119 m2 of lettable area and is expected to be completed in Q2 2028. The construction of the development will be carried out by Consto.

Located in the heart of Handen, just south of central Stockholm, the development is part of a broader revitalisation of the town centre surrounding Handen’s railway station and bus terminal. The location benefits from the immediate proximity to Haninge Shopping Centre as well as Handen Station, offering a 20-minute commute to Stockholm city centre. The area is undergoing a significant transformation and is characterised by a structural undersupply of modern rental housing.

The project is designed to meet ambitious sustainability standards and will feature BREEAM In-Use and Miljöbyggnad Silver certifications, a minimum EPC rating of B, on-site renewable energy through solar panels, while also targeting EU Taxonomy alignment.

“This acquisition marks another important milestone in scaling our residential strategy in Stockholm. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Reliwe and Consto by delivering another high-quality project together. They are trusted partners to us, bringing deep local expertise and a proven track record,” says Pontus Danielsson, Investment Manager at CapMan Real Estate.

“We continue to actively pursue compelling opportunities for both our value-add funds and our core residential fund. Our deal pipeline remains robust, and we find the current market timing particularly favorable for deploying capital into sustainable high-quality residential investments in the Nordic capital cities,” adds Magnus Berglund, Partner and Head of Sweden and Norway at CapMan Real Estate.

Closing of the acquisition is expected in Q3 2025. The Fund recently acquired a 205-unit residential development project in Stockholm in Jakobsberg, Järfälla from JM.

CapMan Real Estate manages approximately €5.5 billion in real estate assets, with a team of over 80 professionals based in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and London.

For further information, please contact:

Magnus Berglund, Partner and Head of Sweden and Norway, +46 70 786 68 08

Pontus Danielsson, Investment Manager, +46 70 385 58 00

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and €6.5 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, real asset debt, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London, Luxembourg, and Düsseldorf. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com   

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Centerfield Acquires Digital Commerce Platform ConsumerVoice

A corner of a modern office lobby. The

LOS ANGELES, August 21, 2025 — Centerfield, a premier technology service for digital customer acquisition, today announced the acquisition of ConsumerVoice, a digital commerce platform that curates and promotes products to engaged audiences on its popular websites ConsumerVoice.org and BuyersReport.org.

Centerfield’s digital brands and proprietary platform, Dugout, engage in-market consumers and supercharge customer acquisition for leading brands in home services, insurance, business services, e-commerce, and many other categories. With ConsumerVoice, Centerfield will drive additional purchases at scale.

“Centerfield continues to be a powerful platform for growth, and we’re excited to support its expansion into new audiences and channels. We remain focused on identifying strategic acquisitions that enhance Centerfield’s ability to deliver exceptional customer acquisition outcomes for top-tier brands.”

Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President and Matthew Louie, Managing Director, Platinum Equity

“ConsumerVoice is an innovative business that allows Centerfield to serve leading brands in more than a dozen new categories,” said Kris Barton, CEO of Centerfield. “In addition to offering Centerfield’s core capabilities to ConsumerVoice customers, we are excited for their digital commerce capabilities to expand the business of our current clients.”

“Our team has achieved significant scale over the past several years in all types of service and commerce categories,” said Dylan Ramsey, Co-Founder and CEO of ConsumerVoice. “By partnering with Centerfield we will be able to grow faster and leverage our platform for more brands.”

The transaction announced today will mark the sixth Centerfield add-on acquisition since the company was acquired by Platinum Equity.

Platinum Equity Co-President Jacob Kotzubei and Managing Director Matthew Louie in a joint statement, said,  “Centerfield continues to be a powerful platform for growth, and we’re excited to support its expansion into new audiences and channels. We remain focused on identifying strategic acquisitions that enhance Centerfield’s ability to deliver exceptional customer acquisition outcomes for top-tier brands.”

Vista Point Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to ConsumerVoice.

About Centerfield

Centerfield’s proprietary audiences and technology platform, Dugout, supercharge customer acquisition for the world’s largest brands in residential services, business services, insurance, e-commerce and many other product and service categories. Centerfield’s marketing and sales technology platform, Dugout, and engaged audiences reach more than 200 million in-market consumers to help them make complex purchasing decisions. Centerfield is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Connect with Centerfield at www.centerfield.com

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BGF successfully exits Derry-based homebuilder Braidwater Group

BGF

The exit follows a decade of sustained growth from Braidwater, and strong regional momentum for BGF, investing over £100m in Northern Ireland to date.

21 August 2025
BGF successfully exits Derry-based homebuilder Braidwater Group

BGF has successfully exited its investment in Northern Ireland residential developer Braidwater Group, following the company’s decision to buyback equity, after a decade of sustained growth.

Over the past 10 years, Derry-based Braidwater has transformed from a small-scale construction business into one of Northern Ireland’s leading housebuilders, with turnover growing from £4 million in 2015 to £45 million in 2024.

The investment in Braidwater – BGF’s first deal in Northern Ireland back in 2015 – was instrumental in helping BGF to establish a strong foothold in the region.

The partnership has not only supported Braidwater’s transformation, but also played a pivotal role in cementing BGF’s position in the local market. Today, BGF has invested over £100 million in Northern Irish businesses.

Since its initial investment in Braidwater in 2015, BGF has provided two follow-on investments, allowing the family-owned business to scale operations and pursue strategic expansion. The funding from BGF has been instrumental in enabling Braidwater to develop and grow its land bank, build out and evolve its management team, and expand its footprint across the entirety of Northern Ireland.

The company now operates across the region, with notable developments, such as Beech Hill on the Glenshane Road in Derry, and Castle Hill on the Ballygowan Road in Belfast.

In January 2019, Braidwater merged with sister company BW Homes & Construction, to create Braidwater Group – diversifying its offering, and entering the social and affordable housing market. With BGF’s support, the Group professionalised and strengthened its leadership, combining internal promotions with key external hires, to form a resilient and experienced executive team.

Joe McGinnis, CEO of Braidwater, said: “We’re grateful to BGF for their support over the last decade, as we scaled our operations and established the Braidwater Group. Their initial investment gave us the springboard to enter new markets, while follow-on funding instilled us with the confidence to go even further.

“Today, we are in a strong position, with a professionalised team, a significant development pipeline, and a clear strategic vision for the next 10 years. Most importantly, this buyback ensures Braidwater remains a family-run enterprise for the future – something that was always important to us. BGF has been a valued and supportive partner throughout this growth journey.”

Paddy Graham, Regional Partner at BGF, added: “Our partnership with Braidwater has been one of the most significant for BGF in Northern Ireland. It was our first investment in the region, and it gave us a visible and successful platform from which to grow.

“The company had a quality product, a strong team, and a compelling market opportunity in 2015 – and the same is true today. We’re proud to have supported the business through a period of transformation, and are pleased to see the family take it forward with renewed ownership and ambition.

“The success of this partnership has also played a pivotal role in shaping BGF’s presence in Northern Ireland. Today, we’ve invested over £100 million in Northern Ireland, and we remain deeply committed to supporting ambitious businesses across the region.”

BGF recently pledged a further £100 million to Northern Irish businesses, over the next five years, as part of its wider £3 billion, UK-wide strategy to support high-potential companies. Meanwhile, the sale of its stake in Braidwater marks BGF’s third successful exit in Northern Ireland, following deals with waste management company RiverRidge and specialist kitchen manufacturer Uform, which both attracted large private equity investments.

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Gryphon Investors to Sell Shermco to Blackstone in $1.6 Billion Transaction

Gryphon Investors

Gryphon Investors (“Gryphon”), a leading middle-market private investment firm, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its portfolio company Shermco (“the Company”), a leading player in electrical testing, engineering, maintenance and repair, to private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone (NYSE: BX). The transaction is valued at approximately $1.6 billion.

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Irving, TX, Shermco is one of the largest electrical testing organizations accredited by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (“NETA”), providing comprehensive electrical system maintenance, repair, testing, commissioning, and engineering & design services, with more than 600 NETA technicians and 200 engineers across 40 service centers in the U.S. and Canada. Shermco provides critical services for data centers, utilities and other diversified commercial and industrial end-markets, partnering with customers to enhance the safety, reliability and efficiency of their critical electrical infrastructure, while minimizing downtime and outages.

Gryphon, which made its initial investment in Shermco in June 2018, partnered with CEO Phil Petrocelli and other members of Shermco management to achieve strong organic growth and operating margin improvement at Shermco, while also building through add-on acquisitions.

Alex Earls, Partner and Co-Head of the Business Services Group at Gryphon, said, “We are proud of the exceptional business building and financial performance achieved by Shermco management, including two-fold revenue growth under Gryphon’s ownership. We are pleased that Blackstone recognized the strength of Shermco’s platform and believe the firm will be an excellent partner for Shermco management in its next phase of growth.”

Mr. Petrocelli commented, “With Gryphon’s support and operational expertise, Shermco has become a highly valued partner for its blue-chip customer base. We look forward to pursuing organic initiatives and making additional add-on acquisitions in partnership with Blackstone.”

Harris Williams served as lead financial advisor to Shermco and Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor to Gryphon.

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About Gryphon Investors

Gryphon Investors is a leading middle-market private investment firm focused on profitably growing,

competitively advantaged companies in the Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth,

Software, and Technology Solutions & Services sectors. With more than $10 billion of assets under management, Gryphon prioritizes investments in which it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners, and executives to accelerate the building of leading companies and generate enduring value through its integrated deal and operations business model. Gryphon’s highly differentiated model integrates its well-proven Operations Resources Group, which is led by full-time, Gryphon senior operating executives with general management, human capital acquisition and development, treasury, finance, and accounting expertise. Gryphon’s three core investment strategies include its Flagship, Heritage, and Junior Capital strategies, each with dedicated funds of capital. The Flagship and Heritage strategies target equity investments of $50 million to $500 million per portfolio company. The Junior Capital strategy targets investments of $10 million to $25 million in junior securities of credit facilities, arranged by leading middle-market lenders, in both Gryphon-controlled companies, as well as in other private equity-backed companies operating in Gryphon’s targeted investment sectors.

About Shermco

Headquartered in Irving, TX, Shermco provides electrical testing, maintenance, commissioning and repair services to a wide range of utility, industrial, energy and other end markets. With more than 40 locations, Shermco serves a diversified blue-chip client base across North America. The Company is an active participant in NETA (the InterNational Electrical Testing Association), EASA (Electrical Apparatus Service Association), and ACP (American Clean Power Association). For more information, visit www.shermco.com.

Contact:

Lambert

Caroline Luz

203-570-6462

cluz@lambert.com

or

Jennifer Hurson

845-507-0571

jhurson@lambert.com

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