EQT AB (“EQT”) today announced that following the review of future strategic options for the business
segment Credit (“Credit”), a definitive agreement has been reached to sell the Credit business to
Bridgepoint (the “Transaction”). Despite the difficult market environment, there was considerable
interest in the business. The sale ensures that Credit gets a new owner able to support its growth
prospects and permits EQT to further focus its efforts on building scalable value-add strategies
focused on active ownership.
Established in 2008, Credit is the smallest of EQT’s three business segments with approximately EUR
4 billion of assets under management (“AUM”) as of 31 December 2019 in three complementary
strategies: Special Situations, Direct Lending and Senior Debt. This represented around ten percent of
EQT’s total AUM. The Credit business segment had total revenues of EUR 35.8 million and a gross
segment result of EUR 12.3 million in the financial year ended 31 December 2019. The business
segment employs approximately 40 professionals, including five Partners. Since inception, Credit has
raised over EUR 7 billion of capital and invested in over 180 companies.
Christian Sinding, CEO of EQT AB, said: “This is an important step on our path of focusing on
investment strategies which can fully utilize EQT’s governance and impact ownership model. We are
delighted to have found such a great new home for the Credit business segment and the dedicated
team of credit specialists. Together with Bridgepoint, the Credit platform is well positioned to capture
the future growth prospects and develop its offering even further. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank Andrew Konopelski and the entire Credit team for their contribution to EQT. It has been a great
collaboration over the last 12 years and I wish them well in the next stage of their journey.”
Andrew Konopelski, Head of EQT Credit, continued: “As part of EQT, we have developed a diversified
credit platform capable of investing across the capital structure. We have grown and implemented a
thematic and due-diligence focused investment approach and an operational mindset. The resilience
of the portfolios during these unprecedented times demonstrates the strength of our model as we look
toward the future. We are excited by the considerable opportunities that we see ahead for private
credit. With Bridgepoint as our partner, we will undoubtedly continue our growth path together while
sharing similar values. I would like to thank the entire EQT community for their support over the
years.”
William Jackson, Managing Partner at Bridgepoint, added: “This moves our credit strategy and
ambitions significantly forward and provides further diversification for the Bridgepoint Group in line with
our strategic objective of offering a broader range of compelling middle market focused alternative
asset investment strategies. It will also broaden Bridgepoint Credit’s geographic exposure with an
enhanced presence in the Nordic region, Germany and the US, adding to our existing teams in
London and Paris.”
PRESS RELEASE 18 June 2020
EQT AB (publ)
Regeringsgatan 25
SE-111 53 Stockholm
Sweden Tel: +46 8 506 55 300
VAT number: SE556849418001
The Credit segment will be reported as discontinued operations in the half year report. The
Transaction is not expected to have a material impact on EQT AB’s central functions. The proceeds
are expected to be used to continue to deliver on EQT’s defined growth strategy.
The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory, anti-trust and certain
fund investor clearances, with completion expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2020. The
parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the Transaction. JP Morgan has acted as financial
advisor and Kirkland & Ellis and Travers Smith as legal advisors to EQT on the Transaction.
Contact
Kim Henriksson, CFO, +46 8 506 55 300
Nina Nornholm, Head of Communications, +46 70 855 03 56
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334
About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with a 25-year track-record of consistent
investment performance across multiple geographies, sectors, and strategies. EQT has raised more
than EUR 62 billion since inception and currently has around EUR 40 billion in assets under
management across 19 active funds within three business segments – Private Capital, Real Assets
and Credit.
With its roots in the Wallenberg family’s entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term
ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages
and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof
companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does.
The EQT AB group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include
general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has
offices in 17 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and North America with more than 700 employees.
More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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