Permira, the international private equity firm, announced today that a company backed by the Permira funds has entered into an agreement to acquire Lowell Group from majority shareholder TDR Capital. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Lowell Group is a leading UK provider of credit management services specialising in credit management and data analytics. The Permira funds will merge Lowell Group with existing portfolio company GFKL, a leading provider of receivables management services in Germany, to create a leading pan-European credit management business. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (Teachers’) and the management of Lowell Group will remain shareholders. The transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015, is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Combining both market-leaders will create one of the largest credit management businesses in Europe with unparalleled growth prospects and very complementary competencies in debt purchase and outsourced credit services. The combined group has over 15 million customers and a leading market position in the two largest European financial services markets, Germany and the UK. The Group’s new multi-national operating model mirrors that of the larger credit providers, including Santander, Vodafone and Barclaycard, presenting an opportunity to further strengthen existing strategic client relationships. The combination will enhance the service that the group can provide to its customers and will have tremendous client benefits.
The senior management teams will remain in place and James Cornell, CEO of Lowell Group, and Kamyar Niroumand, CEO of GFKL, will co-run the company and are excited about the numerous opportunities today’s merger represents. The Permira funds’ investment is a significant endorsement of both GFKL’s and Lowell Group’s track record, current strength and future growth prospects.
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