Bridgepoint is one of the leading pan-European investment groups
Bridgepoint Advisers, the private equity firm, confirmed it plans to go public as part of a deal that could see the UK company valued at £2bn.
The company said it wants two raise in the region of £300m via the IPO to maintain its growth levels, while seeking to expand into property and infrastructure-type investments.
Bridgepoint’s float would represent an uncommon move into public markets from a private equity company. Other companies to do the same, as reported by the Financial Times, are FTSE 100-listed 3i Group, Partners Group of Switzerland, France-based Eurazeo and EQT of Sweden.
The move comes as a number of private equity groups look towards companies that have been struggling throughout the pandemic.
“Over the last 30 years we’ve built the global leader in middle market growth investing, with strength and depth across two very complementary strategies in private equity and private credit,” said executive chairman William Jackson.
“Bridgepoint operates across the middle market at scale, providing access for some of the world’s most experienced investors to attractive growth businesses through its unique local insight and expertise and its well-resourced platform. We have delivered strong and consistent returns for investors and shareholders through different economic cycles.”
Bridgepoint is one of the leading pan-European investment groups focussing on the middle market.
The private equity company has raised a total of over €39bn of committed capital from a global investor base that includes public and private pension funds, asset managers, family offices, sovereign authorities and insurance companies.
Just over a week ago, it confirmed a deal to take a position in Itsu, the fast-food chain, which it should would help bring about 5,000 new jobs over the next fiver year period.
It was reported by Sky News that Bridgepoint would value Itsu at £100m.
