Danish asset manager Fokus has made its first step towards its goal of becoming a major investor and asset management group in the Nordics with the acquisition of Swedish investment and asset manager Scius Partners.
The 100% buy-out of existing Scius partners was followed by a significant reinvestment in the Fokus Group by the Scius partners and a further increase in capital from the existing Fokus partners and its majority shareholder, BlackFin Capital Partners.
Established in 2007 by Mikael Freudmann, Per Johannesson and Joen Siggelin, Scius Partners is a boutique investment and asset manager with an impressive track-record - completion of transactions for SEK 23 bn (€2.1 bn), performance of complex development and turn-around cases, and achievement of very successful divestments.
The firm counts major blue chip clients such as Blackstone, Invesco and Starwood, and also local Swedish investors, among it sclients.
The combined business of Scius and Fokus will manage €4.5 bn of assets with around 70 dedicated employees at the two offices in Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Tonny Nielsen, CEO and Partner at Fokus said; ‘The acquisition of Scius Partners is the perfect launch of our Nordic expansion – there is no doubt that the two companies are very compatible and represent an excellent starting point for further growth and improved geographical coverage for our respective clients. We are looking forward to joining forces and expanding our business in both Sweden and Denmark, and together take the next steps in our joint journey.’
Mikael Freudmann, CEO and Partner at Scius added; ‘The task to create a pan-Nordic leading firm with Tonny and his team is an exciting opportunity for us, and we are looking forward to growing the business both in Sweden and the rest of the Nordics together.’
Damien Lestang, partner at BlackFin, commented: ‘We are very enthusiastic to see the Scius team joining forces with Fokus, a major step in the international expansion of the Fokus Group. BlackFin has supported both teams in the sourcing and negotiation, and we are reinvesting alongside the founders of Fokus and Scius. Scius will also bring value-add competencies to the core/core+ know-how of the Fokus Group.’
