SWITZERLAND - Partners Group announces IPO on SWX Swiss Exchange

Guy
21 February 2006

Tweet
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google plus
Send to

Partners Group, the Swiss-based global alternative asset manager, has announced its intention to list on the SWX Swiss Exchange through an initial public offering. The IPO is expected to take the form of a public offering in Switzerland and private placements in selected countries and contemplates a preferred allocation program for certain clients and business partners of the firm. The offering is expected to result in a free-float of approximately 30%. It is the clear intention that a substantial majority stake will be owned by management and employees of Partners Group in the foreseeable future. Credit Suisse will act as global coordinator and lead bookrunner for the offering, Merrill Lynch as bookrunner. Other members of the syndicate include Sal. Oppenheim, as co-lead manager, as well as Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch, as co-managers.

Over the last 10 years, Partners Group has developed a leading global alternative investment business and the firm is determined to further excel in this attractive asset management field into the next decade. In an industry with long investment horizons and long-term client relationships, independence and continuity are the two key requirements for sustainable investment success.

Alfred Gantner, co-founder and executive chairman of Partners Group, commented: 'With the planned listing and the preferred allocation program we further align our interests with our clients and business partners. Moreover, the IPO provides additional entrepreneurial freedom to develop the firm in a way favourable to all our stakeholders which we believe ensures our long-term independence.'

Marcel Erni, co-founder and chief investment officer with additional responsibility for human resources, said: 'With the listing we will establish a valuation platform for our shares. This is an important measure in the context of our incentive program, which continues to focus on long-term retention of our partners, principals and valuable employees. We also believe that the IPO will further increase the attractiveness of Partners Group to new employees. This step enables continuity, which is a prerequisite for successful alternative asset management.'

Steffen Meister, chief executive officer of Partners Group, added: 'We continue to execute on our proven integrated business strategy, with our asset management activities providing the core competence, which we leverage through our structuring and distribution efforts. In response to increasing client demand for alternative assets, we continue to broaden our product offering over time, benefiting from the scalable alternative asset management platform which we carefully built over the last ten years.'