Frankfurt am Main, January 12 2017

Closing of share acquisition in Universal-Investment completed as planned

The acquisition of shares in investment company Universal-Investment by leading European private equity firm Montagu Private Equity has now been closed as planned. Following the approval of the relevant authorities, Montagu Private Equity has acquired shares from Universal-Investment’s owners Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG and Bankhaus Lampe KG. With assets under administration of EUR 290 billion and 650 employees, Universal-Investment is the largest independent investment company in the German-speaking region. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial terms and further details of the transaction.

Universal-Investment remained one of the most successful investment companies in 2016 as assets under administration increased by more than EUR 30 billion to currently EUR 290 billion. In addition, at EUR 20 billion, the company recorded the highest net inflows in the investment industry in 2016. Operating through three divisions – Administration, Insourcing and Risk Management – Universal-Investment focuses on efficient, risk-oriented administration of funds, securities, alternative investments and real estate. The Universal-Investment Group, which was founded in 1968, has its head office in Frankfurt am Main as well as subsidiaries and holdings in Luxembourg and Austria. The company is known as a pioneer in the investment industry and today is the market leader in the areas of master funds (Master-KVG) and private label funds.

Independent business model remains unchanged

“For nearly five decades, Universal-Investment’s business model and thus the company’s success have been based on a comprehensive Master-KVG and Service-KVG offering,” explains Bernd Vorbeck, Spokesman of the Management Board of Universal-Investment. “With Montagu Private Equity, we will continue our business model and our growth momentum.” To this end, the new shareholder will invest in the continued development of Universal-Investment’s business model as well as its employees and technological platform. “Our goal is to continue to expand Universal-Investment’s outstanding positioning as a one-stop-shop master fund provider for all asset classes with a comprehensive network of service partners,” comments Daniel Fischer, Director at Montagu Private Equity. “We’re excited to work with Bernd Vorbeck and his team in the future and to accompany the company through its next growth phase,” he says.