Private Equity
Delivering attractive returns and steady distributions by investing in the champions of tomorrow
About Private Equity
We focus on building theme-driven portfolios based on profitability and strong growth
What we do
Secondaries
Our secondaries portfolios are designed to deliver an optimised balance of high multiple, high IRR and accelerated cash payback
Directs
Our Article-8 compliant Directs programme provides global exposure to the market leaders of tomorrow, whose growth is underpinned by long-term trends
Primaries
We have long relationships with established mid-market fund managers and investing in next generation managers has been a focus of our private equity strategy since the 1990s
Climate impact
With more than 14 years of impact experience, we are a pioneer in managing Article-9 compliant portfolios of companies providing solutions to the climate challenge
Tailored solutions
We have been providing tailored solutions to clients for over 20 years and have expertise in delivering a range of flexible options, including evergreen and liquid portfolios
How we invest
We have been successfully investing in private equity in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific for more than 30 years, delivering attractive returns across market cycles.
We seek exposure to the market leaders of tomorrow by strictly targeting companies with specific company characteristics. For each investment opportunity, we conduct a rigorous due diligence process, including ESG analysis and AI-driven scoring that ensures only the very best opportunities make the cut.
Our focus is on companies with attractive financial fundamentals, including recurring revenues, robust EBITDA margins and high cash conversion, resulting in sustainable top line growth.
Investment themes
- climate transition
- resource efficiency
- sustainable cities
- service efficiency
- future of work
- personal wellbeing
- healthcare re-engineered
A global team
Private equity depends on the expertise of its people. With an average of 18 years’ investment experience, our global team of private equity professionals – one of the largest in the mid-market – works across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific to source opportunities and manage portfolios for our clients.
This team is backed by an Investment Committee with an average tenure at Unigestion of over 24 years and supported by a highly-qualified Independent Industry Advisory Board which has decades of experience across industries and geographies.
ESG
ESG has become an increasingly important part of our investment process since 2010 and we have nine dedicated ESG ‘champions’ integrating ESG considerations across our funds and direct investments.
From research and sourcing, to analysis and engagement, they work to harmonise our ESG approach and monitor progress. Read more about Unigestion’s approach to ESG in our Responsible Investment section.
Harnessing technology
We believe that data and technology are indispensable in the modern investment landscape, enabling us to expand our investment universe – creating smarter, faster, and more efficient investment practices that ultimately enhance returns and reduce risks.
Our team of expert analysts and data scientists has leveraged years of industry experience and extensive data sets to develop a suite of advanced tools actively used by our private equity investment professionals in their investment processes.
Discover how our commitment to research and technology sets us apart in the dynamic world of private equity investing, providing you with the knowledge and resources to make informed, strategic investment decisions.
Videos
Unigestion's 'Next Generation Manager' platform
Private equity insights
- Private equity
- Papers
As investors come back from their well-earned summer breaks, one issue continues to prey on their minds: “when will I get my money back?”
Exit activity for the first half of 2024 was 27% below that for the same period in 2023. This slide in activity has continued since the peak reached in 2021 and does not show any near-term signs of reversing. Investment activity has also been lower – in the first half it was 18% below that of the same period last year.
- Private equity
- Papers
If investors were expecting the private equity market to jump back into action in 2024, they will have been disappointed.
After a subdued 2023, overall private equity investment and exit activity in the first quarter of 2024 continued to be challenged. However, there were bright areas in some segments of the market.
- Private equity
- Events
In the second half of 2023, we saw an increase in secondaries volume, driven by LP stakes. Why is this and what have been the key drivers of recent activity in the secondaries market around the globe?