SGG Group, the Dutch-based investor services firm, backed by Astorg Partners, has announced that regulatory approval has been received and the transaction to acquire First Names Group has been successfully completed.
The acquisition considerably strengthens SGG Group’s reach and capabilities in key markets such as Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Switzerland, Cyprus and Ireland with the combined Group becoming a significant force in the provision of investor services to ultra-high-net-worth families, corporates and fund clients worldwide. As a result of this transaction the newly combined business has become the world’s fourth largest global investor services firm by revenue, employing over 1,700 people across 22 jurisdictions.
A wide-ranging review of the newly combined Group’s brands is currently underway and until this review is completed all businesses will continue to operate under their existing brand names.
Commenting on the acquisition, Serge Krancenblum, Group CEO of SGG Group, said: “This acquisition represents a key milestone for SGG Group as we continue with our international expansion. First Names Group perfectly complements our existing client offering and grows our jurisdictional capabilities, giving us a truly global footprint while still allowing us to maintain personal relationships with our clients. Beyond this, First Names Group appealed to us because of its highly experienced team and client base which are highly complementary to ours, its similar history and shared vision for the future. We are very proud of this acquisition and we are excited to work together with the First Names Group team to take our combined business to new heights.”
Mark Pesco, group segment leader private clients, previously First Names Group CEO, added: “At First Names Group we’ve been highly ambitious and delivered exceptional growth over the last few years. Joining forces with SGG Group is a hugely exciting opportunity as it brings a wealth of new opportunities for us as a combined business, for our people and especially for our clients. We have built a strong business, and now it’s time to embark upon the next stage of our business journey. I believe we have an extremely bright future ahead of us as part of SGG Group and look forward to working with the SGG Group management team in driving our now greatly expanded group towards even greater success in the future.”
SGG Group was founded in the Netherlands in 1896.
