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Financial markets

Bridgepoint Unveils Plans for Stock Market Flotation Worth £2bn

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Bridgepoint, a leading private equity firm, has announced plans for a stock market flotation, seeking to raise around £300m to fund its growth plans, boost cash in its own funds, and pay down debts. The move comes amid a surge in private equity deals, but the sector is facing increasing scrutiny over concerns that firms are taking advantage of cheap prices following the pandemic and Brexit woes. The flotation, expected to value the group at £2bn, will see at least a quarter of its shares listed on the stock market, making Bridgepoint one of a small number of listed European buyout groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bridgepoint plans to float at least a quarter of its shares on the stock market to raise around £300m, valuing the group at £2bn.
  • The move will fund the firm's growth plans, boost cash in its own funds, and pay down debts.
  • Bridgepoint has been growing rapidly, increasing its assets under management from €9bn in 2011 to €27.4bn as of March 31, 2021.
  • The firm has a strong global presence, with 10 offices across Europe, the US, and Asia.
  • Bridgepoint has over 170 investment professionals, 43 partners, and more than 300 employees.
  • The firm's most notable investment was sandwich chain Pret a Manger, which it sold to JAB Holdings in 2018.
  • Bridgepoint is taking a minority stake in Itsu, a UK-based Asian fast-food chain, and investing to fund the expansion of 100 new sites and create 2,000 jobs in the UK.

Statistics:

  • £2bn: expected value of Bridgepoint following the flotation
  • £300m: expected amount raised from the IPO
  • £23.5bn: total assets under management, as of March 31, 2021
  • 10 billion euros: assets under management in 2011
  • 27.4 billion euros: assets under management as of March 31, 2021
  • 43: number of partners
  • 300+: number of employees
  • 170+: number of investment professionals
  • £100m: value of Bridgepoint's minority stake in Itsu
  • 100: number of new Itsu sites to be opened
  • 2,000: number of jobs to be created in the UK

Sources:

  • "Bridgepoint poised for stock market flotation amid private equity boom" by PA Media
  • "Bridgepoint's plans for UK food empire 3i to rebrand as new US headquarte" by Bloomberg

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