Mid Europa Partners (Mid Europa), a private equity investor in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), has opened an office in Bucharest, Romania, further deepening its local presence in the country.
The firm has also promoted Alain Beyens, its Operating Partner, to equity partner.
Matthew Strassberg, Co-Managing Partner of Mid Europa, says: “The opening of the Bucharest office represents a natural progression of our commitment to Romania, following our increased activity in response to the long-term re-rating of the investment climate in Romania. Since 2015, we have invested nearly €0.5 billion into Profi, the leading Romanian proximity supermarket chain, Regina Maria, a leading premium integrated private healthcare services operator, and most recently, Urgent Cargus, a leading courier, express and parcel service provider.”
Berke Biricik, a Principal who joined Mid Europa in 2013 and will lead Mid Europa activities in Romania, says: “Having been involved in our investments in Profi and Urgent Cargus, I look forward to coordinating the monitoring and origination activities in Romania from our new Bucharest office.”
Alain Beyens has been promoted to equity partner. He has served as Mid Europa’s Operating Partner since July 2017 and serves on the Board of Moji Brendovi Group which recently sold its Bambi and Knjaz Miloš divisions to Coca Cola Hellenic and the consortium of KMV and PepsiCo, respectively for an aggregate consideration of nearly EUR0.5 billion.
Robert Knorr, Co-Managing Partner of Mid Europa, says: “For nearly five years, Alain has been contributing significantly to the value creation and operating excellence in a number of our portfolio companies. The recent successful exits from Bambi and Knjaz Miloš provide clear external validation of the positive impact of his efforts. In recognition of this contribution, we have decided to invite Alain to become an equity partner.”
“Since joining Mid Europa in 2017, I have had an opportunity to support the management teams in a number of its portfolio companies by applying best practices in operational management and execution. I look forward to continuing in this role and to building a dedicated Operating T eam which will further enhance Mid Europa’ s operational capabilities,” says Alain Beyens.
Beyens brings with him over 25 years of hands-on consumer-focused industrial experience acquired through managing large multi-country and multi-site businesses such as Anheuser- Busch InBev, StarBev and Pelican Rouge. In addition to his current role as Chairman of Moji Brendovi Group, Alain serves on the Boards of Hortex and Urgent Cargus and leads operating projects at several other portfolio companies.
