Financial services

Momentum in the financial services sector increasingly comes from agile, specialized businesses that develop innovative new routes to market and dynamic operational models.

The importance of sheer financial muscle is waning following the crisis, in favor of expert execution and distribution capabilities that enable new participants to earn substantial rewards in a sector traditionally dominated by the largest banks and insurance companies.

Whether competing with financial giants, or providing them with outsourced services, our portfolio companies apply a deep understanding of markets, demographics and technology to build highly-profitable businesses with built-in resistance to the sector’s cyclical nature.

We currently have over €500m invested in financial services companies across Europe, Asia and North America, and we are actively seeking to build on our successful 20 year record in the sector. We typically partner with financial services companies that break the mold by streamlining processes, identifying new ways to reach customers and continually adapting their models in these times of change.
Our areas of current interest include:

• Asset Management: Across the globe, assets under management are seeing strong growth, as western populations prepare for longer lives and emerging markets invest the fruits of success. This sub-sector is also facing unprecedented change and opportunity following the events of the last few years.
• Insurance: In large parts of the world, the insurance sector remains inefficient, fragmented and remote. Nimble operators are prospering by adopting efficient electronic models, anticipating the impact of greater regulation, and bridging the gap between capital and customers – especially in Asia, where rapidly rising wealth is matched by the growing need for insurance products.
• Service and technology providers: In the wake of the financial crisis, there is a need for greater transparency and customer service coupled with tighter regulation, lower acceptance of risk, ever-increasing trading speed/volume as well as pressure to reduce costs. This is driving many institutions to seek the support of niche services and technology providers that increase efficiency while controlling costs.

With a team of Financial Services investment professionals across three continents, we have the experience to talk in depth. We welcome proactive discussions with traditional financial services giants on subjects including the disposal or growth of non-core assets, and we are looking for opportunities to partner with niche brands or regional businesses that we can help build internationally.