TowerBrook Capital Partners has acquired a majority interest in Vistage International, the world’s largest for-profit peer-advisory membership organisation of chief executives and business executives.
With more than 16,000 members in 15 countries, Vistage delivers leadership development and business value to CEOs and key executives in the US and around the world through a professionally-facilitated peer-advisory process, one-on-one coaching and mentoring, content from experts, and connectivity forums.
Vistage was founded in 1957 as TEC (The Executive Committee), a forum for business leaders to share their issues and experiences to help each other generate better decisions and results for their companies. Today, Vistage members provide each other the same kind of counsel and support by meeting in person, collaborating online, and learning from hundreds of top industry speakers.
TowerBrook, a New York- and London-based investment firm, will acquire a majority interest in Vistage, with Education Growth Partners, a private equity firm focused exclusively on the education sector, as a minority partner. The two firms acquired Vistage from a consortium of private investors. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Rafael Pastor (pictured), chief executive of Vistage, says: “TowerBrook and Education Growth Partners both have a track record of success in helping grow the companies they invest in. I am confident that they understand and appreciate the distinct value Vistage provides to CEOs and other senior executives through our professionally-facilitated peer-advisory experience, and I am eager to work with both firms to help facilitate the next phase of Vistage’s growth and expansion.”
Brian Jacobsen, managing director, TowerBrook, says: “Vistage is a high-quality, market-leading business with a strong and loyal membership base and an excellent management team. We believe the company has tremendous potential, and we look forward to helping to grow this unique community of chairs, members and speakers both in the US and internationally.”
Peter Campbell, managing partner of Education Growth Partners, says: “The Vistage team has built an exceptional business and community. We are excited to partner with TowerBrook and Vistage management to continue to strengthen and grow the business and the community.”
