Does it, indeed? Well, let me be the judge of that.
Luxembourg, 15 February 2022 - Astorg is pleased to announce the closing of its first dedicated mid-cap fund ("Astorg Mid-Cap") at €1.3bn. Due to strong investor demand, the fund has exceeded its initial target of €1bn and hit its hard cap.
Oh, okay. 'It's all facts, boss.' Yeah, I suppose. Never mind, eh?
Astorg Mid-Cap was launched in 2020 under the leadership of Managing Partners Lionel de Posson and Edouard Pillot to address the European middle-market for buyouts[1], which has been Astorg's core expertise since the firm's foundation in 1998. Consistent with Astorg's strategy and experience, Astorg Mid-Cap seeks to invest in European-based, global B2B niche leaders that benefit from secular and resilient growth as well as attractive and profitable business models. Astorg strongly believes in responsible investing and has set up Astorg Mid-Cap as an Article 8 Fund, promoting ESG[2] undertakings which are fully integrated to its policies and processes.
Ha! Cheeky use of the numbers there, but no [3]. 'They haven't got the hang of it yet.' They're amateurs, Voice.
Astorg Mid-Cap has made two investments since its formation thereby investing c. 20% of the fund. First, in Opus 2 (UK), a leading provider of integrated legal tech software and services for the global litigation and arbitration markets. More recently in Armor-IIMAK (France), the global leader in industrial thermal printing ribbons, alongside the company's management team. Both deals generated co-investment opportunities for the fund LPs, consistent with Astorg's approach.
Oh, right. / Now, I imagine, uh ... Thierry would like to say a few words.
Thierry Timsit, CEO of Astorg, comments: "Starting from a blank page but embarking 24 years of platform experience, it was very rewarding to design our inaugural Mid-Cap fund with what we believe to be the key success factors of a middle-market European fund: a diverse 'native' Pan-European team, a focused strategy leveraging on the platform's sector expertise, strong digital tools and corporate functions, and advanced ESG policies. Lionel and Edouard have done an extraordinary 'intrapreneur' job and impersonate the firm's values. I am also grateful to our loyal base of limited partners for the outstanding support they have provided."
Yeah, I thought so.
'What about Lionel and Edouard, boss?' Well ... I've been tipped off in advance that they want to talk like The Shining girls ... on my blog! 'Ha!' Should I allow it? I mean, I'm sorry, I just find it creepy, you know?
Never mind.
Lionel de Posson and Edouard Pillot, Co-Managing Partners of Astorg Mid-Cap, say: "We are delighted to have been able to build Astorg Mid-Cap so successfully in such a short period of time. Our success is testament to the strength of the Astorg platform, which has allowed us to attract top talent into our team, convince blue-chip investors to back the fund and find our place in the market almost instantly. We believe that the opportunity to invest in high-quality European mid-size B2B companies has never been more attractive and we look forward to backing ambitious management teams and entrepreneurs, and delivering strong performance to our investors."
Uh. Shivers down my spine, frankly. 'Let's see if Jeff can lighten the mood.'
Jeff Orenstein, Partner - IR and Co-investment, adds: "We are delighted and grateful for the support that the Mid-Cap fund has received from a large group of recognized global blue-chip investors. The successful fundraising is, at foremost, a reflection of the quality of the Mid-Cap team, whose track-record is consistent with Astorg's disciplined investment philosophy, ESG focus, portfolio value creation, and historical performance."
Thanks, Jeff. I needed that!
'Disturbing use of the word "we", I thought.' I'm willing to overlook that, Voice. He was probably talking for the whole company. [I hope he was.]
ENDS
ENDS
ENDS
...
Anything else?
Fitness? Those 10kg dumbbells are doing my head in. (And body, obviously.) Maybe I should go back to the light ones ... ??? 'Don't quit now, boss. Think of Steve McQueen. Think of Daniel Craig.' Well ... I've already got the muscles of our Steve. Just got to lose more fat, that's all. Our Danny is another matter though. He's more developed than Stevie ever was. 'Keep going then!' Yeah, yeah.
I don't notice the Voice doing any exercise, kook(s). Do you know what I mean?
Music? That new tune fragment definitely has the potential to be another Mighty Soul. And that's all I'm interested in writing at the moment. I did want another ballad like Shady, Dodgy, Shifty, but ... beggars can't be choosers. 'If wishes were horses -' Shut up, Voice. Please.
Anyway ...
Bye!
'Laters!'
