KKR to acquire majority position in FGS Global to support long-term growth; FGS to become standalone communications and public affairs consultancy
2024年8月7日 - 3:01PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
KKR today announced the acquisition of WPP’s full equity
position in FGS Global (“FGS” or the “Company”), the preeminent
global communications and public affairs consultancy. The proposed
transaction is supported by FGS management, builds on KKR’s initial
minority investment in July 2023, and values FGS at US $1.7
billion. The investment underscores KKR’s deep conviction in FGS’s
vision and strategy to be the leading global communications advisor
helping clients navigate the increasingly complex stakeholder
economy. As a result of the transaction, the equity interest of
FGS’s over 500 employee shareholders will be approximately 26% of
the company.
Since KKR’s initial minority investment in July 2023, FGS has
benefitted from KKR’s access to global resources, network and
expertise in building best-in-class global enterprises. Both KKR
and FGS are focused on enhancing the Company’s growth and extending
its leading position as a global advisor to Boards and C-suites in
business-critical situations. FGS will continue to be a partner-led
firm, managed by the existing leadership team. KKR is committed to
supporting FGS’s ambitious growth plans while ensuring FGS
continues to uphold the highest standards of independence, client
confidentiality and trust.
Philipp Freise, Partner and Co-Head of European Private Equity
at KKR, stated: “Our investment in FGS reflects our strong
commitment to strategic partnerships, where we provide long-term
capital and global resources to entrepreneurial teams and
world-class businesses. We strongly believe in FGS’s strategy and
leadership and have been pleased with our partnership since our
minority investment in July 2023. In today's increasingly complex
stakeholder ecosystems, the value of FGS’s insight, advice and
execution is increasingly essential for organizations to navigate
uncertainty and achieve their goals. We look forward to continuing
our collaboration and helping FGS realize their vision as a global
category leader.”
Alex Geiser, Global CEO of FGS, said: “Our enhanced strategic
partnership with KKR is a clear signal of their confidence in our
ability to scale and enhance our position as the preeminent
consultancy helping leaders successfully navigate the stakeholder
economy. With KKR’s reinforced support, we're poised to accelerate
our growth, attract and empower new talent, and further our
commitment to value creation that benefits all our stakeholders,
especially our clients and employees. Together, we are ideally
positioned to lead growth and innovation of the industry as FGS
moves into its next phase as a standalone firm.”
Roland Rudd, Global Co-Chair of FGS added: “I would like to
thank WPP for their longstanding partnership. I am particularly
grateful to WPP Chair Roberto Quarta and WPP CEO Mark Read for
their support as we have grown FGS Global into what it is today. I
am delighted that KKR is now backing FGS to become the undisputed
global leader in our sector.”
KKR is making the investment in FGS primarily through its
European Fund VI, an $8 billion fund that invests in the growth of
leading businesses by providing access to KKR’s extensive network
and business building resources. Recent investments from the
European Fund VI include OHB, nexeye, Superstruct and Accountor.
One of the core strategies of KKR’s European Private Equity team is
investing alongside founders, entrepreneurs and corporates to
provide flexible capital for strategic partnership transactions.
The FGS investment follows a similar thematic pursued through KKR’s
2021 investment in ERM, the world’s largest global pure play
sustainability consultancy.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year,
subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing
conditions.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative
asset management as well as capital markets and insurance
solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by
following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing
world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio
companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that
invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic
partners that manage hedge funds. KKR insurance subsidiaries offer
retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of
Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments
may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance
subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc.
(NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For
additional information about the Global Atlantic Financial Group,
please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at
www.globalatlantic.com.
About FGS
FGS Global is the preeminent global communications and public
affairs consultancy, with approximately 1,400 professionals around
the world, advising clients in navigating complex stakeholder
situations and reputational challenges. FGS was formed from the
combination of Finsbury, The Glover Park Group, Hering Schuppener
and Sard Verbinnen & Co to offer board-level and C-suite
counsel in all aspects of strategic communications — including
corporate reputation, crisis management, and public affairs and is
also the leading force in financial communications worldwide.
FGS offers seamless and integrated support with offices in the
following locations: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston,
Brussels, Calgary, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt,
Hong Kong, Houston, Kingston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris,
Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Toronto,
Washington, D.C., South Florida, Vancouver and Zurich. The firm is
headquartered in New York.
FGS is consistently ranked a Band 1 PR firm for Crisis &
Risk Management and for Litigation Support by Chambers and
Partners. For the second year, FGS was ranked #1 Global M&A PR
firm by Deal Count and Value in 2023 by Mergermarket.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240806369145/en/
KKR Julia Leeger/ Miles Radcliffe-Trenner media@kkr.com
FGS Global Dorothy Burwell / Jennifer Loven / Dirk von
Manikowsky mediaglobal@fgsglobal.com
WPP Chris Wade / Richard Oldworth press@wpp.com
KKR (NYSE:KKR)
過去 株価チャート
から 7 2024 まで 8 2024
KKR (NYSE:KKR)
過去 株価チャート
から 8 2023 まで 8 2024