IK Partners enters into exclusive negotiations with Wendel

IK Partners (“IK” or “the Company”) today announces that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Wendel Group (“Wendel”), one of Europe’s leading listed investment firms, with the intention to sell a controlling interest in the Company. Wendel’s stake is being acquired from the Partners at IK, who will also be significantly reinvesting as part of the envisaged transaction. Subject to customary regulatory approvals, the sale of a controlling interest in IK is expected to complete in the first half of 2024.

IK is a leading European private equity firm, with teams across Northern Europe focusing on the mid-market segment. It has a well-established institutional presence and is considered one of the most active GPs in this space.

The Company invests across four complementary strategies and sectors (Business Services, Healthcare, Consumer and Industrials) in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Currently, it manages over €10 billion of private assets on behalf of third-party investors and since inception, has invested in over 180 companies.

With the scale and resources of a large cap platform, IK has a track record of transforming local champions into international leaders. Committed to fostering growth and enhancing value, IK takes a hands-on approach to investing and its Investment teams are strengthened by its in-house Operations, Capital Markets and ESG teams which are seamlessly integrated throughout the (entire) investment process.

IK has a superior and consistent track record, having achieved an average gross IRR of around 34% on the 116 realisations completed since inception. It consistently generates strong DPI for its investors.

The proposed transaction is a strategic partnership in which the Company’s Partner Group and its employees, who remain committed for the long term, will continue to operate autonomously in the same markets and strategies, under the same brand. A key feature of the envisaged partnership is the commitment of significant capital by Wendel to support IK’s present and future platform funds as well as the development of new strategies. The envisaged transaction will lead to the full acquisition of the Company over time.

Christopher Masek, CEO at IK Partners, said: “We are excited at the prospect of partnering with Wendel, whose investment will support our existing strategies, while also creating the opportunity for us to accelerate growth in other areas. The envisaged partnership will allow our Company to achieve its three strategic objectives which are to: access significant permanent capital; secure a long-term solution for our Partner Group to grow; and maintain our autonomy and identity.

In an industry that is seeing an increasing number of alliances being formed, we believe that this transaction sets the foundation for continued growth and strengthening of the IK Platform. It offers a unique and attractive model that benefits our Company, employees and investor for years to come.”

Laurent Mignon, Wendel Group CEO, commented: “We are very proud to embark on this new entrepreneurial stage in Wendel’s development with a high-quality company like IK, sharing the same values and investment philosophy. Wendel and IK are strongly committed to creating value in their portfolio companies, with a strong focus on establishing solid governance and supporting their operational and external growth.

We look forward to working with the IK teams to ensure the success of this value-creating partnership. I am convinced that, in the years to come, we will find new opportunities for external growth and direct investments that will create value for Wendel’s shareholders.”

For further questions, please contact:

IK Partners
Vidya Verlkumar
Phone: +44 (0) 7787 558 193
vidya.verlkumar@ikpartners.com

Finlay Donaldson
H/Advisors Maitland
Phone: +44 (0) 7341 788 066
finlay.donaldson@h-advisors.global