OpenGate Capital, a Beverly Hills-based principal investment firm, has named industry veteran Robert Lezec as partner.
OpenGate Capital, a Beverly Hills-based principal investment firm, has named industry veteran Robert Lezec as partner.
The announcement comes in the wake of the firm’s deal last month to acquire TV Guide Magazine, a US television entertainment magazine with more than 20 million readers.
In his new role, Lezec assumes responsibility for global transaction execution and oversight of OpenGate’s portfolio of acquired companies.
With over 20 years of international private equity, C-level management and consulting experience, he brings to OpenGate broad sector and transactional expertise across a multitude of industries including, media, IT, telecommunications, manufacturing and retail & distribution, among many others.
‘We are delighted to have an executive of Robert’s immense insight and talent join our senior management team,’ says OpenGate founder and managing partner Andrew Nikou. ‘The depth and breadth of his investment and operational experience as well as his international expertise make him an ideal partner. The recent TV Guide Magazine acquisition was a perfect opportunity to formalize this partnership.’
‘I’m extremely excited to become a part of this smart, innovative and energetic firm,’ says Lezec. ‘I look forward to working with Andrew and the rest of the OpenGate team during this extraordinary time as we seek new opportunities to acquire and develop companies with significant potential for growth and enhanced profitability.’
Lezec previously served as chairman and managing partner of Paris-based Naxos Capital Partners, a private investment firm he founded in early 2007 focused on acquiring and developing small to lower mid-cap US and European companies.
Through this new partnership appointment, Lezec will also combine the activities of his firm Naxos Capital Partners with those of OpenGate Capital. He will be based in the firm’s Paris offices.
Prior to his role as managing partner of Naxos Capital Partners, he was vice president of M&A and portfolio operations for the global buy-out firm Platinum Equity, where he was responsible for transaction execution and asset management throughout Europe, as well as implementing major operational and financial performance improvements across the firm’s portfolio of acquired companies.
