Our Q1 2026, sixty-third edition tracks recent news concerning European FICs, featuring 40 from Finland, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg, Bermuda, Denmark, Belgium, UK, The Netherlands, France, Sweden, Italy, Estonia and Switzerland.
Transaction news is dominated by exits. FICs sold portfolio companies in water transport, recruitment, materials, insurance, infrastructure, specialty chemicals and care. Buyers were PE, industrials, management and other family groups.
On the buy-side, FIC, their portfolio companies and investment arms made acquisitions and investments in OEM, online marketplaces, software, medtech, batteries and, of course, AI.
Two FICs issued bonds to raise debt finance.
Prime annual reporting season, and we have 2025 numbers from 24 FICs. Despite the challenging economic and geopolitical environment, and virtually all being cautious about prospects in 2026, 16 posted broadly positive results, five broadly negative and three maintained status.
In people news, there were senior appointments at seven FICs, all non-family, except for one family member appointed CEO of a major portfolio business.
On the business front, two FICs consolidated existing businesses into new divisions. Another ordered fixed sails for a vessel in its shipping fleet.
Three FICs celebrate anniversaries of their founding – 150th, 175th and 270th – and one that would have been the 100th birthday of its founder. In another heritage story, a FIC renovates an historic building in its hometown.
Meanwhile, one multi-family FIC reinforced the involvement of its controlling families with new shareholder agreements, another marked a step in the succession to the next generation with the appointment of new family members to various positions in the FIC, its portfolio companies and foundations.
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