Franklin Resources, a global investment management organisation operating as Franklin Templeton, is to acquire a majority interest in Apera Asset Management, a pan-European private credit firm with over €5bn in assets under management.
The acquisition will expand Franklin Templeton’s global alternatives platform and its direct lending capabilities across Europe’s growing lower middle market.
With the acquisition of Apera, Franklin Templeton’s global alternative credit AUM would increase to $87bn and the firm’s total pro-forma alternative asset AUM would grow to approximately $260bn, each as of 30 April, 2025, reinforcing its position as a leading manager of diversified alternative asset strategies.
Apera will be complementary to Franklin Templeton’s existing global alternative credit offerings, alongside Benefit Street Partners in the US and Alcentra in Europe, further diversifying the firm’s geographic exposure and capabilities within the private credit asset class.
Founded in 2016, Apera provides senior secured private capital solutions to private equity-backed companies in Western Europe. Headquartered in London, with offices in Germany, France, and Luxembourg, Apera has built a strong track record of disciplined underwriting and deep sponsor relationships and brings differentiated capabilities and expertise in the pan-European lower middle market – a segment that remains underserved relative to the broader private credit landscape.
Apera recently closed its third flagship fund family at €2.9bn, exceeding its target and reflecting investor demand for access to European private credit.
This transaction is expected to close in Q3 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
