Dains Group Grows National Presence with Acquisition of Barnes Roffe

IK Partners

Leading accountancy and advisory services provider to the SME market, the Dains Group (“Dains”), announces that it has made its second acquisition since securing private equity backing from IK Partners (“IK”) in a move that demonstrates its intention to build the leading SME advisory business in the UK and Ireland.

Barnes Roffe, one of the UK’s top 50 accounting firms, will join the Dains Group on 4th June 2025, significantly strengthening the client proposition in financial advisory, corporate tax, audit, and corporate finance. The Barnes Roffe team has over 29 partners and more than 200 employees in the London area.

The acquisition, which is the largest yet by the Group, means Dains will now have established four key regional hubs across the UK and Ireland — in the South-East, Midlands, Scotland and Ireland — and are on target to become a top 20 firm by the end of 2025.

Barnes Roffe has a strong reputation as a highly customer-centric and proactive business with a talented team. It has built a reputation for delivering outstanding value and service to its clients for over 125 years, since its establishment in 1899.

Stephen Corner, Senior Partner at Barnes Roffe, commented, “By partnering with Dains we are joining a firm with the same values and underlying service proposition we have been delivering to our clients for many years and together we will deliver a truly market leading proposition for our clients. Becoming part of a national firm widens our service proposition and increases the range of specialist services we can deliver whilst at the same time greatly enhancing the career opportunities for our talented team. We look forward to significantly growing the Dains business in the South-East.

We are thrilled to welcome Barnes Roffe to the Dains Group.” said Richard McNeilly, CEO of Dains Group. “It’s not often we encounter such a dynamic and client-centric leadership team. Together, we see significant opportunities to grow our presence in the London area and expand across the UK and Ireland. The addition of Barnes Roffe strengthens our national footprint and aligns perfectly with our strategy to deliver exceptional client service and outstanding career opportunities.

With a team now exceeding 1,000 professionals, we remain committed to enhancing the value we provide to clients and investing in the development of our talented people.

Our ambition is to work in partnership with clients, offering timely, thoughtful advice rooted in a deep understanding of their goals. This approach has underpinned Barnes Roffe’s impressive growth and makes them a natural strategic partner for our group.”

Pete Wilson, Partner at IK Partners added “This strategic acquisition demonstrates our ambition to continue building Dains into the leading UK & Ireland SME advisory business by establishing a strong presence, led by an outstanding team at Barnes Roffe, in London and the South-East.  We look forward to continuing to back further acquisitions as part of this exciting partnership.”

Dains were advised by CMS (Legal), Eight Advisory (Financial and Tax Due Diligence), Forward Corporate Finance (Financial Modelling), Deloitte (Tax Structuring), PDW (Customer Referencing), Cyber Crowd (IT Due Diligence), Mercia (Technical Due Diligence).

Barnes Roffe were advised by KPMG CF (Corporate Finance) and KPMG Legal (Legal).

For further questions, please contact:

Dains Group
Duncan Clayson
Group Marketing Director
Phone: +44 7484 589 817
dclayson@dains.com

IK Partners
Vidya Verlkumar
Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: +44 7787 558 193
vidya.verlkumar@ikpartners.com

About Dains

Dains is ranked 29th in the National Accountancy Age ranking by firm size within the surveyed top 100 accountancy firms in the UK. From 4th June 2025 the team will be over 1,000 people strong with offices throughout the UK and Ireland.

Our core services are Accountancy & Business Services, Audit, Corporate Finance, Forensic Accounting, Taxation and Probate alongside outsourced FD and HR support. We deliver these services with a focus on our core values of Valued Relationships, Fairness, Working & Succeeding Together and Integrity. Together these core values make up the Dains DNA which runs through each of our interactions and activities.

More information can be found at www.dains.com

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About IK Partners

IK Partners (“IK”) is a European private equity firm focused on investments in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €19 billion of capital and invested in over 200 European companies. IK supports companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit ikpartners.com

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Argon & Co expands its presence into Germany

Bridgepoint

Bridgepoint portfolio company Argon & Co, the global management consultancy that specialises in operations strategy and transformation, is delighted to announce it has been joined by Advyce & Company.

Founded in 2014, Advyce & Company has consultants based across the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Its deep-rooted expertise in transformation and strategy is paired with a strong footprint in automotive, industrial, energy and utilities and financial services.

The merger will blend the regional market knowledge and trusted C-level advisory capabilities of Advyce & Company with Argon & Co’s strong global network and operations expertise.

Together, the two companies can support clients as trusted advisers within the DACH region, helping them navigate growth markets, optimise performance and manage industry consolidation, all while achieving sustainable value.

Burkhard Wagner, Co-CEO and Co-founder of Advyce & Company, joins Argon & Co as Partner in Germany. He says: “I firmly believe that our merge with Argon & Co is a strategic step towards creating a powerhouse in management consulting. By combining our deep expertise in transformation and restructuring, our innovative mindset and strong client relationships with Argon & Co’s global reach and excellence in operations consulting, we are building a firm that will set new standards in the industry.”

Marc Staudenmayer, Co-CEO and Co-founder of Advyce & Company, also joins Argon & Co as Partner. He comments, “When we founded Advyce in 2014, our ambition was to rethink consulting in the DACH region – with bold thinking, real impact and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Today, as we join forces with Argon & Co, we are taking that ambition to the next level. Together, we’ll continue to challenge conventional thinking, stay close to our clients and drive lasting change – across industries and borders.”

Jean-François Laget, Group CEO of Argon & Co, says“I am delighted to welcome Advyce & Company. This is a fantastic fit culturally and strategically, and their cross-industry expertise within the DACH region will help Argon & Co offer even greater value to clients locally and globally.”

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Qconcepts and VanLoman join forces for quality platform: independent specialists, shared vision

IK Partners

As of May 21, Qconcepts – Home of audit, and VanLoman – Trusted partner in tax, are joining forces in a strategic alliance. Both organizations will retain their independence and focus on services, but will operate with a shared vision focused on quality under the name Home of quality.

Shared vision, independent paths

Qconcepts and VanLoman were founded on the same core principles: specialization, craftsmanship and a strong focus on quality. That shared mindset is the foundation of this alliance. The platform will guide their joint ambitions in areas like growth, quality and international visibility. For professionals at both firms, daily work will continue as usual.

“What connects us is how we view our profession,” says Cor Pijnenburg, partner and co-founder at Qconcepts. “We each operate in our own domain, but recognize in each other the same sharpness, independence and drive to put quality first.” Laurens Lor, partner at VanLoman, adds: “This is a strategic step, not an organizational change. We remain autonomous, but show together what we stand for and can benefit from each other’s expertise.”

Standing strong in a complex playing field

Both firms recognize today’s challenges: changing regulations, growing customer expectations and the need to remain attractive to top talent. This alliance strengthens their position – not through integration, but by strategically standing side by side.

In the coming months, Qconcepts and VanLoman will further shape the platform. This marks a new chapter: two independent specialists, joining forces with a shared vision for the future.

This is a joint communication by Qconcepts and VanLoman. For questions, please contact:
Carlijn IJzermans, Qconcepts +31 6 – 47135170 | Aafke Berk, VanLoman +31 6 – 13024007

About Qconcepts

Qconcepts. Home of audit is an audit-focused firm with 160 experienced professionals. We specialize in mid-sized companies, healthcare, housing corporations and the non-profit sector.
Our strength lies in focus, quality and personal commitment.
Our teams consist of senior audit professionals with deep sector expertise, working in fixed client teams. This allows us to build long-term relationships and deliver audits that truly make a
difference.

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About VanLoman

VanLoman, Trusted partner in tax, is a tax advisory firm with 45 experienced professionals. We provide full-service tax advice to national and international companies as well as (high-net-worth) individuals, covering all areas of Dutch tax law.
We support our clients with tailored tax advice on mergers & acquisitions, international transactions and structures, employee participation, tax returns, transfer pricing and the setup of investment funds – fast, efficient and to the point.

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Acrisure Secures $2.1 Billion Funding Round Led by Bain Capital

BainCapital

Courtesy of Acrisure

  • Additional investors include Fidelity Management & Research Company, Apollo Funds, Gallatin Point and BDT & MSD Partners
  • Financing values Acrisure at $32 billion as company strengthens status as a global fintech leader

Grand Rapids, MI. – May 20, 2025 – Acrisure today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement for the issuance of new convertible senior preferred stock in a $2.1 billion capital raise led by Bain Capital. Funds from the round will be used to refinance a portion of its existing non-convertible preferred stock, pursue strategic accretive M&A and accelerate its development as a tech-enabled financial services platform, advancing its strategy to become the preeminent fintech solutions provider for millions of small- and medium-sized businesses domestically and abroad.

“This transaction represents a significant milestone and serves as proof that our vision for Acrisure’s scaled platform has become a reality,” said Greg Williams, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Acrisure. “Our evolution from an insurance brokerage into an AI- and technology-powered global financial services provider has opened the door to massive opportunity. I see limitless potential for how far Acrisure can go, and we’re extremely grateful for the financial support and validation from our investors.”

The investors involved in the transaction include Bain Capital Special Situations, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Apollo Funds, Gallatin Point Capital, BDT & MSD Partners, and a consortium of other investors. No existing investor exited as part of this transaction. BDT & MSD remains the largest minority shareholder in Acrisure through affiliated funds.

“Greg and his talented leadership team have built an impressive business that is clearly differentiated by its combination of entrepreneurial DNA, cutting-edge technology capabilities and deep industry expertise,” said Cristian Jitianu, a Partner at Bain Capital who will be joining Acrisure’s board of directors. “We are pleased to be selected as Acrisure’s partner of choice on this transaction and look forward to supporting their continued growth strategy as the Company builds on its success delivering the right personalized insurance and business solutions to its clients.”

Going forward, Acrisure will continue to expand its footprint and product offerings through strategic, accretive M&A, fully integrating the platform created through its previous 900 acquisitions, and driving organic growth with its robust suite of tailored offerings, which now includes real estate services, cybersecurity tools, payroll and payment processing, and retirement/wealth solutions.

Acrisure’s unprecedented growth has driven the company’s valuation to $32B, marking a nearly 40% increase since its last institutional capital raise just three years ago. Prior to this funding round, Acrisure has prepared for its further expansion by bolstering its executive bench to better fit the company’s go-forward vision and support its best-in-class technology capabilities. Most recently, the firm hired a new CTO, Mark Wassersug, former COO of the Intercontinental Exchange, and a new Chief Administrative Officer, Shawn Pelsinger, the former Global Head of Corporate Development at Palantir Technologies.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as sole and exclusive placement agent and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Varnum LLP served as legal counsel to Acrisure.

About Acrisure
A global fintech leader, Acrisure empowers millions of ambitious businesses and individuals with the right solutions to grow boldly forward. Bringing cutting-edge technology and top-tier human support together, it connects clients with customized solutions across a range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, benefits, cybersecurity, real estate services – and beyond. In the last eleven years, Acrisure has grown in revenue from $38 million to almost $5 billion and employs over 19,000 colleagues in 23 countries. And this is just the beginning. To learn more, visit Acrisure.com.

About Bain Capital
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. Our Special Situations team focuses on capital solutions opportunities that provide companies flexible capital that meets their specific needs, coupled with deep operational, strategic and financial value-add capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.Baincapital.com. Follow @Bain Capital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

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IK Partners to acquire DATAPART

IK Partners

IK Partners (“IK”) is pleased to announce that the IK Small Cap IV (“IK SC IV”) Fund has signed an agreement to acquire DATAPART Factoring GmbH (“DATAPART” or “the Company”), a leading German provider of business process outsourcing (“BPO”) for driving schools, alongside the existing management team. IK is acquiring its stake from German Equity Partners V, a fund managed by independent investment company ECM Equity Capital Management GmbH (“ECM”). Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany, DATAPART provides a tech-enabled BPO solution for driving schools, which covers billing, payment processing, administrative processes as well as liquidity management. The Company’s full-service outsourcing offering is seamlessly integrated with its clients’ operations through its own proprietary software system, which provides for comprehensive process automation. Its small and medium-sized enterprise customers benefit from significantly reduced administrative burdens, greater financial security and enhanced flexibility — enabling them to focus on their core business and development. DATAPART is the clear leader in its market, with a long-term track record of consistent growth.

In partnership with IK, DATAPART will further develop its platform by investing in its solutions and capabilities. It will leverage IK’s extensive BPO expertise and strong presence in the DACH region to strengthen its differentiated position in the German driving school market and expand its footprint.

David Wimpff and Max Thielemann, Co-CEOs of DATAPART, said: “We are thrilled to partner with IK as we strengthen our position in the driving school BPO market. This investment represents a significant milestone in DATAPART’s journey towards becoming a leading tech-enabled BPO specialist. With IK’s expertise and strong track record as a leading investor in the DACH region, we are confident in our ability to achieve accelerated growth while expanding our market share in Germany and beyond. We are particularly excited about exploring new verticals together, leveraging IK’s operational capabilities and extensive network.”

Nils Pohlmann, Partner at IK and Advisor to the IK SC IV Fund, added: “Mobility in our society starts at the level of driving schools. DATAPART is the clear market leader when it comes to BPO solutions, offering crucial support to driving schools and enhancing their operations.We have been impressed by DATAPART’s ability to provide tech-enabled outsourcing solutions and its consistent, long-term track record of high-quality service delivery. David and Max are a strong, entrepreneurial management team with deep industry knowledge and we are excited to be supporting the Company in its next chapter of growth.”

Axel Eichmeyer, Managing Partner at ECM, added: “It has been a great pleasure collaborating with David, Max and the entire DATAPART team, supporting DATAPART’s continued growth and development. We would like to thank the team for their trust and dedication and wish them continued success alongside their new partner, IK.”

For further questions, please contact:

IK Partners
Vidya Verlkumar
Phone: +44 7787 558 193
vidya.verlkumar@ikpartners.com

ECM Equity Capital Management
Phone: +49-69-97 102-0
info@ecm-pe.de

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IK Partners to acquire Lohoff

IK Partners

IK Partners (“IK”) is pleased to announce that the IK Small Cap III (“IK SC III”) Fund has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lohoff Pension Services GmbH (“Lohoff” or “the Company”), a German specialist provider of occupational pension administration solutions, from the founding family. IK is investing from its dedicated pool of Development Capital, alongside the Company’s existing management team. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Founded in 1992 by Petra and Heinz-Günter Lohoff and headquartered in Isernhagen, Germany, Lohoff is a full-service provider of occupational pension administration solutions, offering its clients and their employees a comprehensive, fully digitalised and software-enabled pension administration platform. The Company primarily focuses on managing complex occupational pension schemes for large corporations. Its offering includes highly automated and customisable processes, systems and reporting structures. As a result, Lohoff has built longstanding partnerships with a broad and diversified base of customers, including many notable blue-chip clients.

Lohoff has a highly experienced team, focused on designing and delivering tailored solutions for the occupational pension market. The Company operates from two locations: its main office in Isernhagen, near Hanover and a secondary base in Warnemünde, near Rostock.

With IK’s support, Lohoff plans to strengthen its market position by expanding its product and software offerings across existing verticals and complementary service areas, while continuing to invest in operational scalability, systems enhancements and digital infrastructure.

Petra Lohoff, Founder and Shareholder of Lohoff, said: “I am very pleased to see the vision my husband and I built being carried forward by IK, in partnership with the management team at Lohoff. IK brings the right combination of experience and perspective to support the Company’s continued growth. I wish all parties every success in this new chapter.”

Martin de Vries, Managing Director at Lohoff, said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Lohoff. With over two decades of experience in designing, implementing and administering pension plans, we are well positioned to benefit from long-term structural growth in the market. This new partnership comes at the right time as we look to enhance our offering and continue delivering a best-in-class service. We are excited to work with IK, who bring the strategic insight and expertise required to support Lohoff in its next phase of growth.”

Sebastian Hinz, Managing Director at Lohoff, commented: “We are proud of the strong and differentiated position we have built over the last two decades. Lohoff’s unique capabilities in digital integration and service customisation have allowed us to build lasting relationships with clients that manage complex pension structures. We look forward to working with IK as we scale the business and broaden our service offering.”

Ingmar Bär, Partner at IK and Advisor to the IK SC III Fund, added: “Lohoff has positioned itself as a leading provider of specialist pension administration services in an attractive, resilient market supported by strong regulatory tailwinds. Its strong IT capabilities, high quality standards and flexible offering provide a solid foundation for continued growth. We are pleased to be partnering with Martin, Sebastian and their team to accelerate the Company’s development and leverage our expertise in the Business Services sector to support its ambitions.”

For further questions, please contact:
IK Partners
Vidya Verlkumar
Phone: +44 (0)7787 558 193
vidya.verlkumar@ikpartners.com

About Lohoff Pension Services

Lohoff Pension Services (“Lohoff”) was founded in 1992 and is a leading provider of occupational pension plan administration solutions. The Company leverages over 30 years of experience to deliver highly flexible, bespoke administration services tailored to the specific needs of its client base. Lohoff acts as a trusted partner to its blue-chip clients throughout the entire occupational pension lifecycle, supporting the design, implementation and ongoing management of their pension schemes. For more information, visit lohoff.com

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About IK Partners

IK Partners (“IK”) is a European private equity firm focused on investments in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €19 billion of capital and invested in over 200 European companies. IK supports companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit ikpartners.com

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Bridgepoint announces strategic investment in Argon & Co

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Bridgepoint

Paris, 16 April 2025 – Bridgepoint, one of the world’s leading quoted private asset growth investors, has announced it will partner with Argon & Co, a global management consultancy specialising in operations strategy and transformation.

The transaction sees Bridgepoint Development Capital V – a lower middle-market fund focused on supporting fast-growing businesses across Europe – become a significant minority shareholder in Argon & Co. The company will continue to be majority owned by its Partners with incumbent sponsor Ardian reinvesting a minority stake in the business.

Operating in 13 countries with over 850 FTEs, Argon & Co serves a wide range of blue-chip and middle-market clients with a differentiated offering spanning supply chain planning, logistics, manufacturing, procurement, data and AI advisory, and related strategic transformation services. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for global industrial leaders seeking to optimise their operations, enhance innovation and resilience, and deliver tangible value across their supply chains. The strength of Argon & Co’s position in the market is reflected in its strong growth record, with revenue in the region of €175m in FY2024-25 and with 15 acquisitions completed since 2020.

The consulting market segment in which Argon & Co operates – focused on supply chain excellence together with operations strategy and transformation – is valued at over €4.4bn globally and projected to expand at around 7% per annum. This robust growth is underpinned by long-term structural drivers including geopolitical volatility, procurement cost pressures, digital innovation and greater supply chain sustainability requirements. These dynamics are increasing demand among corporates for specialist partners who can reliably deliver both strategic vision and hands-on implementation.

Leveraging its deep sector expertise and global platform, Bridgepoint will support Argon & Co’s next phase of expansion, including further internationalisation – particularly in Europe and the US – alongside continued development of its consulting capabilities. In addition, Bridgepoint will aid Argon & Co in pursuing an enhanced M&A strategy, helping assess and complete highly synergistic transactions that will strengthen the company’s leadership position, commencing in the immediate term.

Bridgepoint has extensive sector expertise in scaling specialist consulting businesses in their respective niches, including experience with investments in Alpha FMC, Analysys Mason and Prescient. The partnership will also draw on Bridgepoint’s experience in adjacent industries, including supply chain management and technology services companies such as Achilles, Groupe Sinari and Surikat.

Bertrand Demesse, Partner at Bridgepoint, said: “Argon & Co is a stand-out player in the global operations consulting market. With its strong technical expertise, high client retention and clear growth strategy, the business is well placed to capitalise on intensifying global demand for supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and operational excellence. We are delighted to partner with Jean-François and the team to help accelerate Argon & Co’s international footprint and continue building a leading global specialist in the operations strategy and transformation consulting space.

Jean-François Laget, CEO of Argon and Co, added: We are proud of the journey Argon & Co has been on to date with Ardian and are excited to be partnering with Bridgepoint for this next chapter. Their experience in internationalising specialist consultancies, and deep understanding of our sector, make them the ideal partner to help us scale further.

Frédéric Quéru and Geoffroy de La Grandière, Managing Directors, Growth at Ardian, said: “We thank the leadership team of Argon & Co for their trust and their invitation to continue our collaboration. Since our first investment in 2020, the firm has grown from a tier-one player in France to a leading international operations consulting group. We have been delighted to back the company’s development, with notably 15 acquisitions completed to date and the launch of a data/AI offering. Ardian is excited to continue supporting Argon & Co’s ambition alongside Bridgepoint.

 

The transaction completed in April 2025. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bridgepoint was advised by Hogan Lovells (Corporate, Tax, Antitrust), Sycomore Corporate Finance, Natixis Partners, Lazard (M&A), KPMG (Finance, Legal, Labour, Tax, ESG), L.E.K. Consulting (Strategy), Ropes & Gray (Legal), and Singulier x Indefi (AI).

Argon and Co. was advised by Edmond de Rothschild (M&A, Debt Advisory), Paul Hastings (Legal, Tax), Argos and Cards (Legal), and Eight Advisory, Oderis, and PwC (Due Diligence).

Ardian was advised by King & Spalding (Corporate).

 

About Bridgepoint – www.bridgepointgroup.com

Bridgepoint is one of the world’s leading quoted private asset growth investors, specialising in mid-market private equity, infrastructure and private credit. With over $75 bn of assets under management and a strong local presence in Europe, North America and Asia, Bridgepoint combines global scale with local market insight and sector expertise.

Prior Bridgepoint investments in technology-enabled services and specialist consultancy businesses include Alpha FMC, Analysys Mason, Achilles and Prescient.

About Argon & Co. – www.argonandco.com

Argon & Co is a global management consultancy that specialises in operations strategy and transformation. Its expertise spans supply chain planning, manufacturing, logistics, procurement, finance, and shared services, working together with clients to transform their businesses and generate real change. Its people are engaging to work with and trusted by clients to get the job done.

Argon & Co has 17 offices across Europe, Australasia, America, Asia and the Middle East.

About Ardian – www.ardian.com

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $177bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,850 clients globally. Our broad expertise, spanning Private Equity, Real Assets and Credit, enables us to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to our clients’ differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions we create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. Ardian’s main shareholding group is its employees and we place great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 1,050+ employees, spread across 20 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East are strongly committed to the principles of Responsible Investment and are determined to make finance a force for good in society. Our goal is to deliver excellent investment performance combined with high ethical standards and social responsibility.  At Ardian we invest all of ourselves in building companies that last.

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KKR to Acquire OSTTRA from CME Group and S&P Global for $3.1 Billion

KKR

New York, NY, April 14, 2025— KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which investment funds managed by KKR will acquire OSTTRA, a leading provider of post-trade solutions for the global OTC market, from CME Group and S&P Global. The terms of the deal for OSTTRA equaled total enterprise value at $3.1 billion, subject to customary purchase price adjustments, which will be divided evenly between S&P Global and CME Group pursuant to their 50/50 joint venture.

Established in 2021 as a joint venture between CME Group and S&P Global, OSTTRA serves the global financial ecosystem with a comprehensive suite of critical post-trade offerings across interest rates, FX, credit and equity asset classes. OSTTRA provides end-to-end connectivity and workflow solutions to banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and other market participants across trade processing, trade lifecycle, and optimization.

The OSTTRA management team, led by co-CEOs Guy Rowcliffe and John Stewart, will continue to lead the company in their current roles. KKR will support OSTTRA’s customer-centric growth and role as a critical market infrastructure provider by increasing OSTTRA’s investments in technology and innovation across its leading post-trade solutions platform.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with CME Group and S&P Global over the past several years and delighted to have KKR’s backing as we embark on this exciting new chapter for OSTTRA,” said Guy Rowcliffe and John Stewart, co-CEOs of OSTTRA. “With KKR’s support, we will further accelerate our strategic initiatives to enhance our market-leading post-trade solutions, drive innovation, and expand our global footprint. Together, we look forward to delivering even greater value to our customers and helping them navigate the ever-evolving OTC landscape.”

“We have long admired OSTTRA for its mission-critical solutions, deep customer relationships, and strong market position, which we believe provide a great foundation for future growth,” said Webster Chua, Partner at KKR. “We look forward to working with the OSTTRA team and leveraging our experience in the tech-enabled and financial services sectors to help the company further innovate and drive value for its customers.”

“OSTTRA has generated significant growth over the past several years, and we are pleased with the role our joint venture played in driving the company forward,” said CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffy. “Looking ahead, as the post-trade marketplace continues to evolve, we are confident that KKR will further scale this business and extend the important efficiencies that OSTTRA delivers to clients.”

“We’re thrilled about this next chapter for OSTTRA, which, together with KKR, is ideally positioned to tackle today’s complex post-trade challenges and proactively meet future operational demands,” said John Barneson, Chairman of the Board of OSTTRA and Head of Enterprise Solutions at S&P Global Market Intelligence. “This transaction reflects S&P Global’s continued commitment to active portfolio optimization in support of our strategy and to fuel future growth.”

KKR is making its investment in OSTTRA primarily through its North American private equity strategy. Following the close of the transaction, KKR will support OSTTRA in creating a broad-based equity ownership program to provide all of the company’s nearly 1,500 employees the opportunity to participate in the benefits of ownership. This strategy is based on the belief that team member engagement through ownership is a key driver in building stronger companies. Since 2011, more than 60 KKR portfolio companies have awarded billions of dollars of total equity value to over 150,000 non-senior management employees.

Further financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

Barclays and Davis Polk served as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to S&P Global. Citi and Skadden served as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to CME Group. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett served as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to KKR.

 

About OSTTRA

Formed in September 2021 as a 50/50 joint venture between CME Group’s optimization businesses (Traiana, TriOptima, and Reset) and S&P Global’s middleware business (MarkitSERV), OSTTRA has established itself as a critical infrastructure provider in the post-trade space, processing over 80 million trades monthly.

About CME Group

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest ratesequity indexesforeign exchangeenergyagricultural products and metals.  The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform.  In addition, it operates one of the world’s leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing.

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.  CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc.  NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.  COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec is a trademark of BrokerTec Americas LLC and EBS is a trademark of EBS Group LTD. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”). “S&P®”, “S&P 500®”, “SPY®”, “SPX®”, US 500 and The 500 are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones®, DJIA® and Dow Jones Industrial Average are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. These trademarks have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Futures contracts based on the S&P 500 Index are not sponsored, endorsed, marketed, or promoted by S&P DJI, and S&P DJI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

About S&P Global

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AnaCap acquires majority stake in Luxembourg-based corporate and fund services provider FJMF

Anacap

Anacap, a market-leading private equity investor specialising in partnering with founders and entrepreneurial management teams across services, technology and software within the European financial ecosystem, today announces that it has signed transaction documentation for the acquisition of a majority stake in Fiduciaire Jean Marc Faber (“FJMF” or “the Company”).

FJMF is a leading independent provider of trust, fund, and corporate services based in Luxembourg. Founded in 1995 by Jean-Marc Faber, the Company is currently led by him along with partners Christophe Mouton and Daniel Galhano. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including corporate administration, accountancy, trust, fund and payroll services. FJMF has experienced significant growth in recent years, fuelled by a strong organic growth strategy and strategic acquisitions.

With approximately 70 full-time equivalents (“FTEs”), FJMF is a member of the Ordre des Experts-Comptables (“OEC”). The Company serves as a “one-stop-shop” provider for more than 1,800 clients, mostly institutional fund customers and patrimonial clients.

Luxembourg is a leading financial centre in Europe, domiciling 25% of total European assets. The outlook for FJMF is positive, as the highly fragmented local market begins to consolidate. This trend aligns with the shared ambitions of AnaCap and FJMF to expand the Company’s inorganic growth strategy, leveraging AnaCap’s unique expertise and FJMF’s strong reputation. This acquisition represents AnaCap’s second investment in Luxembourg after it successfully sold First Names Group to SGG in 2017.This development also represents AnaCap’s third investment for its latest flagship fund, following the acquisitions of two founder-led businesses: Edge Group, an Italian insurance broking platform, and DK Accountants & Adviseurs, a Dutch accountancy services provider. Closing is expected first half of April.

Nassim Cherchali, AnaCap’s Managing Partner, commented:

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with FJMF. This represents AnaCap’s third investment in our latest flagship, with several other transactions already in the pipeline. This acquisition aligns with the AnaCap philosophy of partnering with founder-led platforms to support then during their next stage of growth. We believe FJMF is well-positioned to become a key consolidator in a highly fragmented local market, with this consolidation leading to improved service offerings for clients.”

Steven Gringoire, Director at AnaCap, added:

“We look forward to working closely with the entire team at FJMF and are thrilled for them to join the AnaCap platform. We were impressed with the Company’s recent growth, market reputation and constant focus on the quality of its services. We see an opportunity to cement FJMF’s leading position through increased M&A activity, continuous growth and expansion of the product proposition in an attractive sector. We are very excited for the next chapter of the company’s growth.”

Jean-Marc Faber, FJMF’s Founder and Managing Partner, concluded:
“We are pleased to partner with AnaCap and are very excited by what lays ahead of us for this new chapter. AnaCap’s entrepreneurial approach, track record and shared ambitions convinced us that they were the right partner to support us in our growth journey. We have very high ambitions for the Company as we look to continue expanding the value proposition for our clients and become a trusted consolidator in the corporate, fund and trust services sector.”

AnaCap received legal advice from Proskauer Rose LLP and Vam Campen / Liem. The financial details for this transaction are not disclosed.

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Bain Capital to Acquire Joint Control and Invest in Manappuram Finance’s Next Phase of Growth

BainCapital

Investment to drive expansion of the company’s renowned non-banking financial services platform building on Bain Capital’s deep financial services experience in India, as well as Manappuram Finance’s 75-year track record of excellence 

Mumbai / Thrissur – March 20, 2025 – Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire joint control in Manappuram Finance, a Kerala-based non-banking financial company and the 2nd largest gold financier in India through its affiliates i.e., BC Asia Investments XXV Limited and BC Asia Investments XIV Limited (Bain Capital) in partnership with the Existing Promoters who will continue to stay fully invested. This strategic investment aims to fuel the company’s next phase of growth and drive transformation by enhancing operational excellence, strengthening leadership, and expanding its presence across key segments.

As part of the transaction, Bain Capital will be investing ~INR 4,385 cr to acquire an 18.0% stake on a fully diluted basis via preferential allotment of equity & warrants at a price of INR 236 per share which is at a premium of ~30% over the 6 month average trading price. The transaction will trigger a mandatory open offer for the purchase of an additional 26.0% stake in the company on an expanded capital basis (excluding warrants). The open offer price has been fixed at INR 236 per share. Based on the open offer subscription, Bain Capital’s stake post the investment will vary between 18.0% to 41.7% on a fully diluted basis (including shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of warrants). Existing Promoters will hold a 28.9% stake in the company post the investment on a fully diluted basis (including shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of warrants). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Founded in 1949, Manappuram Finance is a leading non-banking financial institution and the 2nd largest financier in the gold loan segment in India. It has grown to serve over 6.59 million customers through an extensive network of 5,357 branches and a workforce of 50,795 employees, who uphold its “customer-first” culture. With strong brand recognition, deep customer relationships, and a widespread presence across India, the company has successfully expanded beyond gold loans into microfinance, vehicle finance, housing finance and SME lending, establishing itself as a diversified financial services provider with significant scale and strong growth momentum.

Mr. V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO at Manappuram Finance, said, “The journey of Manappuram Finance has been a long and rewarding one, delivering rich dividends to all stakeholders and investors. For me personally, it has been a privilege to lead such a dynamic company that continues to set gold standards in the NBFC sector. As we embark on the next phase of our growth, we are delighted to welcome Bain Capital as our new partner. Their leadership team is renowned for its commitment to excellence, and their sharp focus on growth will unlock fresh opportunities for Manappuram Finance. We look forward to a successful partnership that drives innovation and sustained success”

“We are thrilled to partner with Mr. Nandakumar and his team to support Manappuram Finance in its next phase of growth. This collaboration leverages our deep expertise and commitment to sustainably expanding India’s financial services sector, while democratizing access to financial products that foster entrepreneurship and wealth creation across the country,” said Pavninder Singh, Partner at Bain Capital. “Manappuram has developed a robust, diversified platform, and we look forward to providing the necessary capital, strategic resources, and operational expertise to help the company accelerate its growth and continue to lead in the industry.”

“Manappuram Finance is a leader in the non-banking financial sector, with deep expertise and a strong market presence. Manappuram’s commitment to integrity, customer-centricity, and technology-driven innovation has been key to its success, and we are excited to build on these values to further solidify its leadership in the industry,” said Rishi Mandawat, Partner at Bain Capital. “There continues to be a huge opportunity for the company to accelerate growth in the core segments. We are partnering with the family to provide capital for growth and help the company on a professionalization journey that will enable it to drive better operational efficiency and risk management.”

Bain Capital has deep experience in investing to support the growth and leadership of a diversified set of financial services businesses in India and globally, including Axis Bank, 360One Wealth & Asset Management, L&T Finance Holdings, Lionbridge Capital, esure, among others.

Bain Capital was advised by Kotak Investment Banking, Boston Consulting Group India, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Ernst & Young LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Unaprime Investment Advisors while Manappuram Finance, its affiliates and Existing Promoters were advised by Spark Capital and Khaitan & Co.

For more details, please refer to the investor presentation here.

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About Bain Capital:
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 25 offices on 4 continents, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com.

About Manappuram Finance Limited:
Manappuram Finance Ltd. (BSE: 531213, NSE: MANAPPURAM) is one of India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), with a rich legacy spanning over 75 years. Established in 1949 in Valapad, Kerala, the company has grown into a trusted financial institution, serving millions of customers across urban and rural India. From its roots as a gold loan provider, it has evolved into a diversified financial services company, extending vehicle finance, home loans, microfinance, and SME lending to the underbanked and underserved segments of Indian society.

On a consolidated basis, Manappuram Finance Ltd has a nationwide network of 5,357 branches across 28 states and union territories, employing 50,795 professionals committed to its mission of financial inclusion. The company serves a customer base exceeding 6.59 million, with assets under management (AUM) surpassing ₹44,218 crore. To learn more, visit www.manappuram.com.

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