TRANSACTION SUMMARY

On 1 June 2020, Sovereign Capital Partners (“Sovereign”) announced the management buy-out of ACOLIN Services, a provider of regulatory and cross-border fund distribution services.

With Sovereign’s support, ACOLIN will work further towards its goal of becoming a leading one-stop-shop service provider along the entire investment funds distribution value chain. Its growth plans include the acquisition of specialized firms to enhance and widen the scope of its services. The company’s ambitious geographical expansion plans target additional European countries as well as Asia, Middle East and the Americas.

ACOLIN

Established in 2006, ACOLIN helps asset management businesses to access new markets, meet regulatory obligations and grow AUM across multiple jurisdictions. The business represents investment funds across European markets, ensuring that all regulatory obligations are rigorously fulfilled and that fund documents are available to investors and to the relevant authorities. The business currently provides services to over 600 asset managers – c.14% of those active in Europe – representing some 1,800 investment funds across 30 countries.

In addition, ACOLIN’s proprietary network facilitates clients’ access to a wide array of fund distribution channels across Europe, overseeing data and commission management for over €20bn of AUM together with ongoing monitoring and due diligence of distribution partners.

The business operates throughout Europe from nine locations including Zurich, Geneva, London, Frankfurt and Belgrade, employing around 85 staff.

SOVEREIGN CAPITAL PARTNERS

Sovereign is a UK private equity fund specialized in buy and build strategies. Sovereign have partnered over 50 businesses to deliver more than 250 follow-on Buy & Build transactions.

ROLE

SHP acted as financial adviser to Sovereign.