Paris – 24th March 2025. A consortium comprising CD&R, Everest UK HoldCo Limited, an entity controlled by the Permira funds, and Olivier Breittmayer, announce today the completion of the acquisition and subsequent delisting of Exclusive Networks (“the Company”), a leading global cybersecurity specialist.
On July 24, 2024, CD&R, Permira, and Olivier Breittmayer, the Company’s founder, formed a consortium to acquire, indirectly through a newly formed dedicated vehicle controlled by CD&R and Permira (“BidCo”), shares representing 66.7% of the Company's share capital and theoretical voting rights from Everest UK Holdco Limited and the Company’s founder. Following completion of such acquisition on 17 December 2024, BidCo filed a simplified mandatory tender offer for the remaining shares of the Company with the French Autorité des marchés financiers, which was opened on 13 February and closed on 28 February 2025. Following the completion of the simplified tender offer, the applicable legal and regulatory conditions being met, a squeeze-out procedure for the remaining shares of the Company was implemented on 21 March 2025, and the Company subsequently delisted from Euronext Paris.
Exclusive Networks plays a critical role in the global cybersecurity value chain. The Company serves as a go-to-market specialist across the globe, providing cybersecurity vendors with access to fragmented national markets, and local partners with the experience and expertise they require to meet their end-customers’ security needs.
Exclusive Networks’ global footprint includes offices in over 45 countries and the ability to serve customers in over 170 countries, leveraging a portfolio of cybersecurity products and services which range from managed security to technical accreditation and training.
Jesper Trolle, CEO, Exclusive Networks, said: “We are delighted that the transaction is now complete. I am committed to further strengthening Exclusive Networks’ exceptional global platform for our vendors, partners and end-users. We have a great team in place which will be well supported by CD&R, Permira and Olivier’s experience and expertise in this exciting market.”
Gregory Lai, Partner, CD&R, said: “Jesper and his team have built an outstanding business that has more than doubled in size in recent years and we are committed to supporting his vision to create a global industry leader in cybersecurity. We look forward to working closely with the consortium and the whole team at Exclusive Networks to leverage our experience investing in the technology sector and our partnership approach to further improve the Company’s services and capabilities.”
Michail Zekkos, Partner and Co-Head of Technology, and Pierre Pozzo, Partner, at Permira said: “Under the leadership of Jesper and his management team, Exclusive Networks has grown into the global leader in cybersecurity value-add distribution, delivering deep go-to-market impact to its vendors and partners worldwide. Exclusive Networks’ strategy centres around its growing capabilities and deepening service offering in a rapidly evolving security landscape, offering substantive potential for further growth and we look forward to continue working with Jesper and his management team in close partnership with the CD&R team and Olivier.”
Olivier Breittmayer, Founder and Non-Independent Board Member of Exclusive Networks, said: “Exclusive Networks has built an exceptional platform which now supports the leading cybersecurity vendors, its global partners and end-users in a high-growth market. The consortium’s support, expertise and capital will be invaluable as the Company looks to strengthen its position as one of the pre-eminent cybersecurity solutions businesses. With the transaction now complete, I look forward to working closely with CD&R, Permira and the Exclusive Networks team to support on the Company’s next phase of growth.”
