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  • Status: Current
  • Date: 2020
  • Sectors:
    • Financial Services & Insurance
    • Business & Technology Services
  • Location: Europe
  • Buy & Build: 2

www.acolin.com

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Acolin

Acolin is a leading provider of regulatory and cross-border fund distribution services. Sovereign backed the MBO of the business, partnering with the management team to further develop Acolin's client base and service offering through a strategy of organic and acquisitive growth.

Investment Background

Acolin was established in 2006 underpinning the founder's vision to create a business uniquely positioned to help asset management businesses access new markets, meet regulatory obligations and grow AUM across multiple jurisdictions in an open, transparent and cost-effective way.

By the time of Sovereign's investment in 2020, Acolin had grown significantly to become a leading provider in the market, operating from nine locations including Zurich, Geneva, London, Frankfurt and Belgrade. The management team wanted investment to grow the business further and enhance its service offering against a backdrop of increasing complexity in the cross-border fund distribution regulatory landscape. In parallel, the original angel and private shareholders were also keen to crystallise the value created in the business.

Value Creation

  • At the time of the MBO, identified and appointed a highly experienced non-executive Chair, previously a MD at Goldman Sachs and chair of Tilney
  • Acquired Fundbase, realising Acolin's vision of establishing a digital marketplace platform.
  • Second acquisition secured to accelerate Acolin's growth in distribution support and data analytics
  • Theo Splinter appointed as CEO to succeed founder Daniel Haefele as he moved to a non-executive position. Theo joined from international trust, fund and corporate services platform Intertrust, where he was the Group's COO, having previously been COO of BNP Paribas Securities Services in Luxembourg

THE STORY SO FAR

Acolin connects clients to fund distribution opportunities by acting as an independent partner to quickly resolve complex cross-border fund distribution challenges. It provides compliant, smart and effective solutions for the distribution of collective investment schemes, connecting capital flows to move more freely across borders.

Acolin's proprietary network facilitates clients' access to a wide array of fund distribution channels across Europe, overseeing data and commission management for around €25bn of assets under services, together with ongoing monitoring and due diligence of distribution partners.

In February 2021, the business made its first strategic acquisition with Fundbase, the digital fund distribution and data management business, which provides asset managers with access to professional investors through a digital marketing and communication portal.

In April 2021, Acolin made its second acquisition, a SaaS-based data collection and analytics platform for asset managers and distributors.

Today Acolin provides services to over 600 asset managers, representing some 1800 investment funds across 30 countries.

Sovereign is working with the management team to grow the business through strategic Buy & Build, to further develop its offering and geographic reach.


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IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Our management team is thrilled about our partnership with Sovereign. I am personally very satisfied to have found the right partner who shares our conviction in the success of Acolin's business model. With Sovereign's investment and support, we will continue to enhance our offering, providing asset managers with the services they need.

Daniel Haefele / Founder