Partners Group plans IPO

Partners Group, the Swiss-based global alternative asset manager, is planning to list on the SWX Swiss Exchange. The IPO is expected to take the form of a public offering in Switzerland and private placements in selected countries and will include a preferred allocation programme for certain clients and business partners of the firm. The offering is expected to result in a free-float of approximately 30%.

Management and employees of Partners Group will own a substantial majority stake. Credit Suisse will act as global coordinator and lead bookrunner for the offering, and Merrill Lynch as bookrunner. Other members of the syndicate include Sal. Oppenheim, as co-lead manager, as well as Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch, as co-managers.

Alfred Gantner, co-founder and executive chairman of Partners Group, said: “With the planned listing and the preferred allocation programme we further align our interests with our clients and business partners. Moreover, the IPO provides additional entrepreneurial freedom to develop the firm in a way favourable to all our stakeholders which we believe ensures our long-term independence.”

Over the years, Partners Group has expanded its alternative asset offering to provide an international client base with comprehensive private equity, private debt and hedge fund investment solutions. The firm has grown to more than 140 employees, based in offices in Zug, New York, London, Singapore and Guernsey. Assets under management at the end of 2005 amounted to approximately CHF11bn. In 2005, the firm reported net revenues of CHF125m with a net profit after tax of CHF78m.