Canadian PE firm opens up in city
CANADIAN-headquartered private equity busines Ardenton Capital has opened an office in Manchester as it sets its sights on the UK
Ardenton differs from most private equity firms by investing with a long-term focus with no intention to divest the businesses it acquires.
The business will be spearheaded by two M&A professionals from the region, Michael Bradbury who joins from BDO and Iain Marlow who was previously at Deloitte.
Ardenton was founded in 2010 and is targeting to invest £100m in 2017 and £500m over the next five years globally.
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Ardenton also has offices in Toronto, Edmonton and now Manchester. The firm will also be opening offices in Dallas and Philadelphia in the first quarter of this year.
In the UK, Ardenton will invest in businesses with an EBITDA of £2m to £10m.
Director Marlow said: “Private equity funds will usually look to invest in businesses and industries that are either in, or about to embark on a phase of rapid growth. We are sector-neutral and will focus on investing in robust growing businesses supplying products or services that will be as relevant in 20 years’ time as they are today.
“We understand that markets move in cycles and we believe in ensuring our businesses are financially robust by employing conservative levels of debt.
“The North West is the perfect place for Ardenton to access UK businesses in the regions with a track record of financial robustness and clear organic growth opportunities that will stand the test of time.”
Director Bradbury added: “We invest in and partner with passionate and capable owners and management teams. We focus on the fit with the owner and management teams first and foremost and strive to assist our partners to achieve their medium and long term strategic aims.
“We work closely with our business partners to first identify and then remove constraints which may be holding back the business. Sometimes this can be as simple as de-risking entrepreneurs to give them the financial security they need for them to go on and drive the business to its next phase of growth or providing a staged succession plan enabling a business owner to exit over time.”
