Deal Details

Permira Acquires Acuity

Technology & Services

Permira acquisition of Acuity from Equistone

Summary

Acuity Knowledge Partners (“Acuity”) has announced that funds advised by Permira have acquired a majority stake in the business from Equistone Partners Europe (“Equistone”). Equistone will reinvest in Acuity as a minority shareholder. Acuity’s management team also remains significantly invested in and committed to the business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Baird served as the exclusive financial advisor to Permira on this transaction.

About

Permira is a global investment firm that backs successful businesses with growth ambitions. Founded in 1985, the firm advises funds with total assets under management of €75bn+ and makes long-term majority and minority investments across two core asset classes, private equity and credit. The Permira private equity funds have made approximately 300 private equity investments in four key sectors: Technology, Consumer, Healthcare and Services. Permira employs over 350 people in 15 offices across Europe, North America and Asia.

Acuity Knowledge Partners serves a global client base of over 500 financial services firms, including banks, asset managers, advisory firms, private equity houses and consultants. Its diverse team of analysts, industry experts, developers and data scientists work as an extension of clients’ teams and, combined with its proprietary technology solutions, allow clients to transform their practices and processes, increase revenues and maximise operational efficiency. Headquartered in London, the United Kingdom, Acuity operates globally, including in the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, China and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Equistone Partners Europe is one of the most active European investment firms with a team of more than 40 investment professionals operating from seven offices in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom. The Equistone funds primarily invest in established mid-sized businesses with favourable market positions, above-average growth potential and enterprise values of between €50 and 500 million. Since 2002, Equistone has invested equity in more than 170 transactions. Its portfolio currently comprises around 50 businesses across Europe.

Technology & Services

Permira acquisition of Acuity from Equistone