Gimv acquires a controlling interest in the specialised and fast-growing Belgian staffing agency IMPACT and Nova Engineering. This transaction reflects the group’s move towards autonomy and the desire to further increase its office network, as well as a potential international expansion. Central to IMPACT’s growth strategy are its proximity, a personal approach and a focus on specialised technical, construction and office positions for mid-sized growth companies. Gimv will acquire a majority stake alongside the management.

IMPACT (www.impact.be) was founded in 1999 and was owned by the Dutch Humares Group since 2006. As a provider of professional services, the group focuses primarily on technical and construction jobs as well as bottleneck functions in the administrative segment. Clients are typically industrial firms whose ambitious plans require a modern HR policy with a mix of solutions (specialised technical profiles, appropriate training, digitalisation). IMPACT and Nova act as focused partners providing them with the right people, recruiting both locally and internationally. With a focus on quality and their recruiters’ technical roots, IMPACT and Nova provide a competitive edge. The company currently has 17 locations (mainly in business parks) and 100 employees realising a turnover of EUR 67 million (2017). With the aid of a well-defined expansion strategy, the company aims to almost double its turnover over the next five years.

“Our past course, specialising in technology, construction and office jobs, has clearly proved itself very successful. The human dimension of our company, the commitment of our teams in combination with our quality approach and focus enables us to find the right candidates, either in Belgium or abroad. The partnership with Gimv will provide us with the autonomy and means to realize our ambition to be recognized as the leading technical player, both in Belgium and abroad,” says IMPACT CEO Eric Dantinne.

Dirk Dewals, Head of Gimv’s Connected Consumer team, on this transaction: “In our portfolio we are consistently confronted with the need for specialist staff at innovative, export-oriented growth companies. IMPACT fills this gap by focusing specifically on this segment, with personal proximity and relevant sector expertise, thereby accommodating the growth of its mid-market clients.” 

He adds: “For us, as Connected Consumer team, it was equally important to notice IMPACT’s differentiation towards the candidate workers. Nowadays potential employees do not expect a long list of generic vacancies; they want tailor-made advice. This advice should consider their individual skills, values and aspirations, both short and long-term, including the possibility of permanent employment. Needless to state that we are very pleased that IMPACT’s management team has chosen to partner with Gimv for their next growth phase. We aim to support IMPACT’s ambitious expansion plans by leveraging our prior experience with the temping sector and digital service models.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the competition authorities. No further financial details on the transaction will be announced.

7 February 2018, Paris – Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces that it is acquiring a stake in SFAM, the leading European broker of smartphone and multimedia insurance. In addition, ICG, the specialist asset manager, is underwriting a bond issue, while Winch Capital 3, managed by Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners (EdRIP), a shareholder of SFAM since 2016, is selling a portion of its stake.

Founded in 1999 by Sadri Fegaier, SFAM is a major European player in the distribution of extended warranty products, specialising in particular in the fast-growing portable products market. SFAM designs, sells, and manages a line of premium insurance products for mobile phones and multimedia devices with extended warranties. With 1,300 employees, SFAM expects to achieve €500 million in gross sales in 2018.

SFAM is aiming to continue its rapid growth (+2,500% in five years) and accelerate its entry into international markets. SFAM already has operations in France, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland and is considering expanding into Portugal, the Netherlands, and Italy. SFAM also intends to continue diversifying its insurance services for portable and multimedia products and its cash-back programmes, and will launch a new online service in 2018, under the brand Hubside.

Sadri Fegaier, Founding Chairman of SFAM, said: ”We are thrilled to welcome Ardian as a shareholder of our company and for them to accompany us as we enter a new phase in our development. Having this high-value partner is important as it provides the company with both financial and human resources so that we can continue our rapid growth. We will continue to focus on maintaining the satisfaction of our distributor partners, insurers and customers, while also looking into opportunities for external growth.”

Yann Bak, Managing Director at Ardian Buyout, added: “SFAM’s exponential growth is remarkable and we are looking forward to being able to support the company as it continues along this path. SFAM has a unique position thanks to its great capacity for innovation, its operational excellence, and the quality of its services. We would like to thank Sadri Fegaier and his team for their confidence in Ardian.”

Sylvain Charignon, Partner at EdRIP, added: “Since our investment in January 2016, SFAM has significantly developed its business, combining strong strategic vision and impressive quality of execution. We wanted to thank Sadri Fegaier for this successful pace and to welcome Ardian, which will contribute to the long-term development of the Group.”

ABOUT SFAM

SFAM, founded in 1999 and based in Romans-sur-Isère (France), is the European leading broker in smartphone and multimedia insurances. SFAM began its activity by marketing its insurance products from its own sales points. In 2010, SFAM launched its products on the national market and became the first broker to offer an all risk insurance (covering all causes of loss and breakage) combined with a smartphone recycling service. By relying on its motivated and loyal staff, all experts in their own fields, SFAM proved to be a real success with over 4 million customers and 2,500 partners in Europe. Drawing on its extensive experience in insurance distribution, the SFAM Group has expanded its activity in Europe while innovating its insurance products and additional services and the recycling of technical products. SFAM is also present in Belgium, Switzerland and Spain.

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$66bn managed or advised in Europe, North America and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base.

Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian’s activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.

Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 480 employees working from twelve offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), North America (New York, San Francisco) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore). It manages funds on behalf of 650 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt.

Follow Ardian on Twitter @Ardian

New York, January, 30, 2018 – A consortium led by Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced that private equity funds managed by Blackstone (“Blackstone”) – together with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) and GIC – have entered into a partnership agreement with Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI) for Thomson Reuters’ Financial & Risk (F&R) business. Under the partnership agreement, the Blackstone-led consortium will own 55 percent of the equity in a new corporation created to hold the F&R business and Thomson Reuters will retain a 45 percent equity stake, at an overall valuation of US$20 billion.

Thomson Reuters F&R is a world-leading data and financial technology platform that provides critical information and data analytics, enables financial transactions, and connects communities of trading, investment, financial and corporate professionals. It also provides leading regulatory and risk management solutions to help customers anticipate and manage risk and compliance.

Martin Brand, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, said: “We are excited to partner with Thomson Reuters – one of the most trusted companies in financial technology. The F&R division has tremendous assets, including a world-leading data business, essential risk and compliance solutions, OTC trading venues, wealth management software, and a strong desktop business. The partnership with Blackstone provides an opportunity to increase efficiency and accelerate revenue growth through innovation and focus on creating uniquely compelling products for F&R’s customers.”

Joe Baratta, Blackstone’s Global Head of Private Equity, said: “We are delighted to partner with Thomson Reuters in continuing to grow the Financial and Risk business. This is a landmark transaction for Blackstone and our investment partners.”

Ryan Selwood, Managing Director & Head of Direct Private Equity, CPPIB, said: “This investment in F&R will broaden our portfolio in the growing financial technology space. We are very pleased to support the evolution of a global market leader.”

Choo Yong Cheen, Chief Investment Officer of Private Equity at GIC, said: “As a long-term value investor, we believe this business transformation will enable F&R to focus on its core customer base and be in a strong position to continue delivering innovative products to the market.”

Reuters News will continue to remain a part of Thomson Reuters and will not be included in the assets being acquired. The new F&R will enter into a 30-year contract for the exclusive rights to distribute Reuters News through all F&R products. Reuters News will continue to have complete editorial independence from F&R and Thomson Reuters, as it does today.

Canson Capital Partners, BofA Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and J.P. Morgan are acting as financial advisors to the Blackstone-led consortium, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Blackstone-led consortium. Debt financing related to the transaction is being provided by J.P. Morgan, BofA Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup. Dechert LLP is acting as legal counsel to GIC.

Matteo Canonaco, co-founder of Canson Capital Partners, said: “We are delighted to advise the Blackstone-led consortium on a transaction that epitomizes the positive role that private equity can play by teaming up with major corporations and enabling them to achieve mission-critical strategic objectives.”

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2018.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $385 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

About CPPIB
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to pay current benefits on behalf of 20 million contributors and beneficiaries. In order to build a diversified portfolio of CPP assets, CPPIB invests in public equities, private equities, real estate, infrastructure and fixed income instruments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, New York City, São Paulo and Sydney, CPPIB is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm’s length from governments. At September 30, 2017, the CPP Fund totalled C$328.2 billion. For more information about CPPIB, please visit www.cppib.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About GIC
GIC is a leading global investment firm established in 1981 to manage Singapore’s foreign reserves. A disciplined long-term value investor, GIC is uniquely positioned for investments across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and infrastructure. In private equity, GIC invests through funds as well as directly in companies, partnering with its fund managers and management teams to help world class businesses achieve their objectives. GIC has investments in over 40 countries and has been investing in emerging markets for more than two decades. Headquartered in Singapore, GIC employs over 1,400 people across 10 offices in key financial cities worldwide. For more information on GIC, please visit www.gic.com.sg.

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com or www.tr.com.

Blackstone Media Contact
Matt Anderson
Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs
T: 212 390 2472
matthew.anderson@blackstone.com

CPPIB Media Contacts

Mei Mavin
Director, Global Corporate Communications
T: +44 203 205 3406
mmavin@cppib.com

Dan Madge
Senior Manager, Media Relations
T: +1 416 868 8629
dmadge@cppib.com

GIC Media Contacts

Ms Mah Lay Choon
Senior Vice President, Communications
T: +65 6889 6841
mahlaychoon@gic.com.sg

Ms Wendy Wong
Senior Vice President, Communications
T: +65 6889 6928
wendywong@gic.com.sg 

FCG Holding Sverige AB (‘FCG’ or the ‘Company’), a high growth, market-leading provider of specialist risk and compliance services to the financial sector, will partner with Bridgepoint Development Capital (‘BDC’) where BDC will acquire a significant shareholding in FCG and provide the resources to allow it to realise its expansion plans. The value of the transaction is not disclosed.

New and Existing Clients Stand to Benefit from Firm’s Expanding Stable of Resources

Dresher, PA, January 2, 2018— Ascensus, a technology-enabled service provider that helps more than 7 million Americans save for the future, has acquired Dedicated Defined Benefit Services (“Dedicated DB”). The defined benefit plan design, administration, and consulting firm will immediately become part of Ascensus’ TPA Solutions line of business within the company’s retirement division. With the acquisition, Ascensus will be able to offer clients access to even more retirement plan experience and expertise while adding another location to its geographic footprint.

Dedicated DB, which is based in Glendale, California, is the only national company focused exclusively on providing defined benefit plans for high-income professionals, small businesses, and individuals with self-employment income. The firm pioneered the turnkey defined benefit plan, partnering with large financial firms to open streamlined, ready-to-use plans across the country.

“We recognized Dedicated DB as an excellent candidate to join Ascensus based on their commitment to helping clients keep more of their earnings by offering the most complete and tax-efficient retirement programs available,” states David Musto, Ascensus’ president. “In addition to benefiting from Dedicated DB’s strong RIA, advisor, and institutional relationships, we’re also delighted to further expand our national footprint and offer clients enhanced access to deep defined benefit expertise.”

“At Dedicated DB, we pride ourselves on our reputation and do our best to help our clients—financial advisors, CPAs, and business owners—meet their goals,” says Karen Shapiro, Dedicated DB’s chief executive officer. “Becoming part of Ascensus ensures that we’ll be able to provide quality, quick-adoption retirement plans for many years to come.”

“Dedicated DB adds some very compelling lead-sourcing technology to Ascensus’ toolkit,” says Raghav Nandagopal, Ascensus’ executive vice president of corporate development and M&A. “We continue to look for companies that will not only allow us to assist Americans in saving for retirement, college, and healthcare, but also help our company to grow and fuel our ongoing investment in service offerings and technology.”

About Ascensus

Ascensus helps more than 7 million Americans save for the future—retirement, college, and healthcare—through technology-enabled solutions. With more than 35 years of experience, the firm offers tailored solutions that meet the needs of asset managers, banks, credit unions, state governments, financial professionals, employers, and individuals. Ascensus supports approximately 50,000 retirement plans, more than 4 million 529 college savings accounts, and a growing number of ABLE savings accounts. It also administers more than 1.7 million IRAs and health savings accounts. As of September 30, 2017, Ascensus had over $158 billion in total assets under administration. For more information about Ascensus, visit ascensus.com. For more information about Ascensus TPA Solutions, visit tpa.ascensus.com.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Roberta Hess
Senior Vice President
Marketing & Communications
Ascensus
Tel: 215-648-1426
Media@ascensus.com