Unigestion launches new Direct Private Equity fund


Press Relations


Unigestion, the independent specialist asset manager, has launched Unigestion Direct II (“UD II”), a new direct private equity fund.

The strategy of the fund will be to build a portfolio of direct investments in resilient small and mid-market companies* in sectors underpinned by long term trends. UDII will provide investors with exposure to the highest quality companies in industries with limited correlation to GDP growth such as education and healthcare.

With a global team of 49 private equity professionals, Unigestion sources direct investment opportunities from its network of more than 500 investment partners, including specialist fund managers, fundless sponsors and other industry experts, as well as directly from business owners.



49

private equity
professionals


500

investment
partners


>20

years’ experience
of direct investing



Drawing on over 20 years’ experience of direct investing, Unigestion engages in both co-underwritten deals and co-lead/lead deals, alongside its preferred small and mid-market fund managers as well as other investment partners in Europe, North America and Asia.

Unigestion takes an active role during due diligence and is able to favourably structure the deal terms in most cases. Furthermore, the firm will influence governance, advise on strategy and co-drive value creation by taking board seats on a majority of portfolio companies, providing active downside protection for investors.


 


The new direct fund builds on our successful long term track record of investing in small and mid-market companies. By investing alongside specialist fund managers and other investment partners which are below the radar of most investors, we believe that we will give investors exposure to a truly unique portfolio of companies.

Christophe de Dardel, Head of Private Equity, Unigestion


Christohpe-de-Dardel

 


Christophe de Dardel, Head of Private Equity, Unigestion added: “UD II will be a continuation of the strategy of our predecessor direct funds. As well as targeting sectors whose growth is driven by long-term trends, we invest in companies which are resilient in their own right thanks to strong market positions, management and financials. As a result, investors in UD II will gain exposure to a portfolio of robust companies which are able to implement their growth plans irrespective of market conditions.”

Unigestion Direct II, registered in Luxembourg, became available to investors in March 2019.

* (EV under < EUR / USD 500 m)

Latest Private Equity content

Climate impact: the investment opportunity of our lifetime or our legacy to future generations?

Enhancing cash flow forecasting in private equity with machine learning models

The art of successful exits in a challenging market

Persistence will pay off

Smooth Sailing