Our twenty-fifth update email tracks recent actions and news concerning European Family Investment Companies (FICs). This Edition contains news items featuring 24 FICs from the UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, The Netherlands and Italy. Again, we examine how European FICs are managing as we enter the pandemic’s second year.
While some might have taken a break over the festive period, many FICs did not. This edition tracks more new investments in spacetech, mobilitytech, agritech, robotics, recycling, impact and personal care brands. In addition, FICs continue to support existing portfolio companies with add-on acquisitions and additional investment. Two FICs merge investee companies to drive future growth, another partners with co-investors to secure a majority stake and one reorganises existing portfolio companies into a new division to grasp new opportunities. All this activity confirming once again the flexibility and robustness of the FIC model. On the other hand, we record several exits, including one to another family business, and one FIC selling its ‘home’ building. On the human side of the equation, we see FICs bringing in outside talent to strengthen boards, as well as promoting from within. Another FIC welcomes the NextGen onto the Board for the first time. Finally, in a story we have been tracking in recent months, we record one family succeeding in its quest to take its FIC private.
The News Briefing concludes with 21 practical Takeaways, our interpretations of what the news means for family investment companies.
As this is the first EFIC News Briefing of the year, we wish all our readers a healthy and successful 2022!
NOTE: EFIC News Briefing is sent to our subscribers to The European Family Investment Company Report, members of our Advisory Network and selected others at our discretion. We hope it is of use in these challenging times. We will be happy to answer any questions or discuss anything further. And do send us your comments, ideas and suggestions and any news stories you see.
If you wish to join our community of subscribers and receive EFIC News Briefings regularly and in full, as well as enjoying facilitated networking and introductions, participate in peer-to-peer virtual conferences, acquire a copy/copies of our European Family Investment Company Report and benefit from an hour of an Author’s time to discuss our findings in detail, please email: info @ deanbridgeinternational.com