Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies, announced that it has agreed to acquire MV Credit, a pan-European private credit specialist, from Natixis Investment Managers (“Natixis IM”). The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in London, MV Credit is an independently managed European private credit specialist. With $5.1 billion in assets under management (AUM), MV Credit provides tailored fund solutions to investors across senior direct lending, subordinated direct lending, hybrid, and collateralized loan obligation (CLO) strategies. MV Credit has deployed more than $11 billion since its inception, leading over 500 bespoke transactions of up to $500 million with sponsors such as EQT, Nordic Capital, Cinven and Bain Capital. MV Credit is differentiated by its experienced senior management team, whose members each have more than two decades of investment experience across multiple credit cycles.
Upon closing, Clearlake’s credit business will have over $28 billion AUM, as well as firmwide AUM of over $90 billion. Upon the close of the acquisition, Clearlake’s team will consist of more than 230 professionals with offices in Santa Monica, Dallas, Dublin, London, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Luxembourg.
“Credit has been in Clearlake’s DNA since our inception and is core to our firm strategy. MV Credit’s exceptional track record and deep expertise in private credit align perfectly with our existing credit business and strengthen our continuing presence in Europe,” said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Clearlake. “Clearlake has deployed over $40 billion in debt and preferred equity investments since 2006, and with MV Credit’s expertise we will broaden our global direct lending capabilities to better serve sponsors and other clients while expanding product offerings for our investors.”
“With this acquisition, Clearlake’s credit business will attain significant scale, with credit AUM growing from ~$6 billion in 2020 to over $28 billion today,” said Behdad Eghbali, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Clearlake. “We have been very deliberate in how we’ve built our credit business, and the addition of MV Credit, with highly complementary direct lending capabilities, provides us with new opportunities for strategic growth.”
“Clearlake and MV Credit share a similar credit investment philosophy and culture, and we believe the combination will be a winning proposition for the market,” said Frédéric Nadal, Chief Executive Officer of MV Credit. “The demand for private credit keeps growing, and the partnership with Clearlake allows us to further address client needs around the world. Our firms share a culture of teamwork, integrity and commitment to excellence. We look forward to being part of the Clearlake family.”
Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Milbank LLP are serving as legal advisors to Clearlake, while Fenchurch Advisory is acting as financial advisor and Dentons is acting as legal advisor to Natixis IM on the transaction. DLA Piper LLP is serving as legal advisor to the MV Credit Partners.
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