Funds advised by CVC have entered into a partnership with GIC and will become a co-shareholder in the RAC through the purchase of Carlyle Group’s stake in the association.
The investment was made from CVC’s Strategic Opportunities Platform, established in response to growing demand from large investors to be able to invest for the long term in stable, high quality businesses, and this will be its first investment.
The RAC is the second-largest roadside assistance provider across the UK and has approximately 8.6 million members as of 30 September, 2015. Committed to quality service and innovation over 118 years, the RAC is the UK’s trusted automotive service brand. The Company provides motoring services to its consumer membership base and corporate clients.
CVC has a deep understanding of investing in businesses in the motoring services industry and believes there is a significant long-term growth opportunity, building on the RAC’s existing strengths. CVC, along with co-shareholder GIC, intends to continue the extensive investment that has been made in the RAC’s technology, data and telematics platform to augment the range and convenience of services to members and corporate clients.
During Carlyle’s ownership, revenues at the RAC grew from GBP417 million in 2010 to GBP498 million in 2014 while at the same time improving member satisfaction and retention. The RAC also delivered substantial reductions in energy consumption per breakdown for its vehicle fleet and through energy efficiency measures implemented at all UK sites jointly contributing to EBITDA and reduced carbon emissions. Capital for this investment principally came from Carlyle Europe Partners III (“CEP III”) that has announced a number of significant exits over the past 12 months, notably including Telecable, Altice, Axalta and MPS.
Chris Woodhouse, CEO of the RAC, says: “We are really looking forward to working with CVC and our existing partner GIC as we enter the next phase of our development. With their significant experience and long-term capital, we are confident that they are the perfect partners to further our success as one of the UK’s major roadside assistance providers. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Carlyle for their support over the last four years.”
Marc Boughton, Managing Partner and Co-Head of the Strategic Opportunities Platform at CVC Capital Partners, says: “The RAC is a very high quality, resilient business in a stable industry, with great customer service and a loyal membership base. We look forward to working with GIC, a highly respected long-term investor and longstanding partner of CVC, to support the continued development of this great brand. We and GIC recognise that this will take time and capital, and this is why the RAC is an ideal initial investment for this platform.”
Andrew Burgess, Managing Director at Carlyle Europe Partners, adds: “It has been a pleasure to work with the RAC’s talented management team over the last four years since the acquisition from Aviva as they have transformed the business and delivered sustained financial performance. Under their leadership, the RAC has strengthened and improved its core roadside business, building upon the high standards of customer service that earned them the reputation of ‘The Motorist’s Champion’, whilst at the same time expanding into new business areas, including telematics. We wish them every success as they continue the journey with CVC and GIC.”
Henry Ormond, Senior Vice President at GIC, says: “We welcome CVC as our new partner in the RAC. CVC brings a wealth of relevant experience, and as like-minded long-term investors we look forward to working with them in supporting the RAC on its continued development. We are also grateful to Carlyle for their significant contributions to the business since they first invested in 2011.”
