GIC buys 30% stake in Mergermarket

GIC has bought a 30 per cent stake in Mergermarket Group from private equity player BC Partners.

Founded in London in 2000, Mergermarket is a global financial intelligence firm providing corporate financial news and analysis through a variety of products. It offers proprietary, forward-looking and actionable intelligence that cannot be accessed elsewhere to a range of investor, advisory and corporate clients.

GIC chief investment officer of private equity Choo Yong Cheen said Mergermarket is a clear leader in its sector led by a strong management team. "The company provides subscribers with essential and often proprietary content, driving strong renewal rates and impressive long-term growth," he said.

Mergermarket, which has over 1,200 staff in 65 different locations worldwide, was acquired by BC Partners via a carve-out from Pearson in 2014 for £382 million. It has delivered double-digit top-line growth each year. BC Partners has worked closely with the Mergermarket team on initiatives to accelerate this growth, including transforming its IT platform, enhancing the data offering, and supporting acquisitions to expand the business.

Following the transaction, BC Partners will continue to hold more than a 60 per cent stake in Mergermarket and will work closely alongside GIC as the company embarks on its next chapter of growth. Its managing partner Nikos Stathopoulos said: "BC Partners invested in Mergermarket due to its must-have data and information, attractive subscription-based business model, (and) consistent track record of growth."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 03, 2017, with the headline GIC buys 30% stake in Mergermarket. Subscribe