Nordic Capital has signed an agreement to sell MFEX, a global independent fund distributor, to Euroclear. During Nordic Capital’s ownership, MFEX has successfully repositioned itself from a Nordic player to a pan-European leader with an emerging global presence.
The new owner Euroclear is a provider of financial market infrastructure services and believes it is ideally placed to support the next phase of MFEX’s growth and development.
The two companies are complementary and will build on each other’s strengths. The combination of MFEX’s innovative distribution platform with Euroclear’s FundSettle post-trade operations expertise will create a unique and compelling offering for fund distributors and fund management companies globally.
Nordic Capital partnered with MFEX’s founders and management team in early 2018 to accelerate growth across Europe and Asia, drive consolidation in the sector and further expand MFEX’s product and service offering. Nordic Capital has made substantial investment in the MFEX platform through acquisitive and organic initiatives. Under Nordic Capital’s ownership, MFEX has grown assets under administration fourfold and the company has been propelled into becoming the second largest European player and one of the key platforms for fund distribution.
“MFEX is a true leader in its field. Since Nordic Capital became a majority owner in 2018, in partnership with the founders, MFEX has experienced continued strong organic growth and executed a series of strategic, value accretive acquisitions. MFEX has developed from being a Nordic leader in its industry to a pan-European leader with an emerging global presence. Nordic Capital is pleased to have been able to support this journey. Now it is the ideal time for Nordic Capital to hand over to Euroclear as the next step for MFEX,” says David Samuelson, board member of MFEX and Principal, Nordic Capital Advisors.
Lieve Mostrey, Chief Executive Officer of Euroclear, commensaysted: “We are delighted to sign this agreement to acquire MFEX Group. We expect MFEX’s broad fund distribution network, along with its talented people, to be very complementary to Euroclear as we continue to enhance our exceptional service, extend our customer proposition and grow our business.”
“Together with Nordic Capital, we have invested in our platform and continued to transform the fund distribution proposition. Nordic Capital’s significant experience in growing Financial Services companies has supported our organic growth and also helped form new partnerships. Euroclear is a great strategic fit for the next stages of our growth journey. By adding our respective strengths, we will be able to build an even better and stronger solution for fund distribution,” says Jean Devambez, CEO, MFEX.
MFEX co-founders and board members, Olivier Huby and Oliver Lagerström added: “It has been a privilege to work closely with Nordic Capital and to grow MFEX together. We are delighted for MFEX to partner with Euroclear, which we believe will be a perfect combination for the future.”
