Private Equity News UK – ECI Partners Closes Twelfth Buyout Fund at £1 Billion
London-based private equity firm ECI Partners has announced the closing of its twelfth buyout fund, ECI 12, at £1 billion.
This exceeds the firm’s initial target of £900 million and reflects the strong demand from investors. The fund will focus on investing in growth-focused, mid-market companies in the UK and Ireland.
ECI Partners has a long-standing reputation as a leading mid-market private equity firm, having been founded in 1976.
The firm’s investment portfolio includes a diverse range of companies across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, technology, and consumer goods. ECI Partners is known for its expertise in helping businesses achieve their growth potential through strategic investments and operational improvements.
The successful closing of ECI 12 is a testament to the firm’s strong track record and the confidence that investors have in its ability to generate returns.
With the new fund, ECI Partners will continue to seek out investment opportunities in promising mid-market companies and provide the support and resources needed to help them achieve their full potential.
ECI 12: The Twelfth Buyout Fund
ECI Partners, a London-based mid-market private equity firm, closed its twelfth buyout fund, ECI 12, at £1 billion, exceeding its target of £900 million.
The fund was oversubscribed, with a high re-up rate of approximately 95% from existing investors. ECI Partners claims that its fundraising success reflects the firm’s strong track record.
ECI 12 is a 2022 vintage buyout fund managed by ECI Partners. The fund invests in growth-focused, mid-market companies in the UK and Ireland. The fund’s investment strategy is to partner with management teams to accelerate growth, drive operational improvements, and create value through buy-and-build strategies.
ECI 12’s portfolio includes companies in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and business services.
The fund has completed seven exits with a combined value of £2.5 billion in 2021, demonstrating the fund’s ability to create value for its investors.
Private Equity News UK – ECI Partners Investment Strategy and Focus
ECI Partners is a mid-market private equity firm that focuses on investing in growth businesses with an enterprise value ranging between £50m and £250m.
The firm’s investment strategy is centered around identifying companies with strong growth potential and partnering with their management teams to help them achieve their goals.
ECI Partners has a history of investing in a diverse range of sectors, including business services, consumer, SaaS, media, technology and telecom, industrial and healthcare.
ECI Partners typically takes a majority stake in the companies it invests in and works closely with management to drive growth and improve operational efficiency.
The firm’s investment focus is on companies that have a strong market position, a differentiated product or service offering, and a clear growth strategy.
The firm’s investment philosophy is centered around backing ambitious management teams and providing them with the capital and support they need to achieve their growth objectives.
Investors and Fundraising
ECI Partners, a mid-market private equity firm, has closed its twelfth buyout fund, ECI 12, at £1 billion, exceeding its target of £900 million.
The fundraising was oversubscribed, with strong demand from both existing and new investors.
ECI’s fundraising success is a testament to its strong track record of delivering attractive returns to investors.
Overall, ECI’s fundraising success reflects the strong demand for UK mid-market private equity investment, and the firm’s reputation as a leading player in this space.
Performance and Track Record
ECI Partners’ success can be attributed to its focus on investing in high-growth, profitable businesses with strong management teams.
The firm’s investment strategy has consistently delivered strong results, with many of its portfolio companies achieving significant growth and profitability under its ownership.
In 2021 alone, ECI Partners completed seven exits with a combined value of GBP2.5 billion, averaging a return of 3.5x. These exits include the sale of CPOMS, Content+Cloud, and the IPO of tech unicorn Auction Technology Group (ATG).
Team and Management
The management team is led by David Ewing, who is the Managing Partner of ECI Partners. David has been with ECI for over 20 years and has been instrumental in driving the firm’s growth and success.
He is supported by a team of experienced investment professionals who work closely with the management teams of the portfolio companies to drive value creation.
Market Presence: Europe and Asia
ECI Partners has a strong market presence in Europe and Asia, with a track record of successful investments in these regions. The private equity firm has established long-standing relationships with institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, fund of funds, endowments, and family offices in the UK, US, Europe, and Asia.
In Europe, ECI has invested in a range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, and consumer goods. The firm has a particular focus on mid-market companies with strong growth potential. ECI’s investments in Europe have included companies such as Mthree, a technology consultancy, and Tusker, a salary sacrifice car scheme provider.
In Asia, ECI has a growing presence, with a particular focus on investments in India and China.
ECI’s investments in Asia have included companies such as Manipal Education and Medical Group, a healthcare and education provider in India, and China F&B Group, a food and beverage company in China.
Transactions and Exits
ECI Partners has a strong track record of completing successful transactions and exits. In 2021 alone, the firm completed seven exits with a combined value of £2.5 billion, averaging a return of 3.5x.
These exits include the sale of CPOMS, Content+Cloud, and the IPO of tech unicorn Auction Technology Group (ATG), which was the best performing IPO in London during 2021 (above £50m market cap) and is now a FTSE 250 constituent. ECI Partners’ growth-focused, mid-market private equity strategy has enabled the firm to create value for its investors and portfolio companies.
In addition to exits, ECI Partners has also been active in M&A, acquisitions, buy-ins, and development capital transactions.
Conclusion: Success and Future Prospects
ECI Partners’ twelfth buyout fund has been a resounding success, with the fund closing at its hard cap of £1.5bn after just four months of fundraising.
Overall, ECI Partners’ twelfth buyout fund is a clear demonstration of the firm’s success and future prospects. With a disciplined approach to investing, a strong track record of delivering returns, and a commitment to partnering with ambitious management teams, ECI is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come.
