Catella’s acquisition of 60 percent of the shares in Aquila Asset Management SAS (“Aquila Group”) received regulatory approval earlier in September and today the transaction was completed. The Aquila Group, with over EUR 1.4 billion in assets under management, will complement Catella’s strong footprint in France and support the continued growth of the pan-European platform.
On June 2, 2023, Catella announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire 60 percent of the shares in the French independent real estate developer Aquila Group. The purchase price amounts to approximately EUR 9,6 million. The Aquila Group consists of Aquila Asset Management, founded in 2010, and the real estate investment fund management company Axipit Real Estate Partners, founded in 2021. Axipit offers innovative and differentiating solutions to both retail and professional investors.
“We are very pleased that we now have received all the necessary approvals to bring this important deal to completion. The acquisition means that we add another piece of the puzzle to our growth journey. With one of the largest independent players in real estate asset management in France now being a part of Catella, we will be able to leverage important synergies with our existing operations in Europe, while entering the French fund business for retail investors is of great strategic importance,” said Christoffer Abramson, CEO of Catella.
The addition of Aquila Group into Catella is an important part in Catella’s strategy to be an attractive partner for investors within the real estate sector globally. The acquisition will significantly strengthen Catella’s position both in France and globally.
“This is an example of how we can further capitalize on Catella’s strong financial position to expand into new businesses and markets. We will continue to increase the range of sustainable products, broadening our product offering to adapt to different stages of the economic cycle, as well as capture synergies and continue to develop our pan-European investment strategies,” said Christoffer Abramson.
The shares are acquired from local management who will remain minority shareholders. According to the agreement, an additional purchase price of approximately EUR 1 million could be paid if certain criteria are met. The acquisition is financed by Catella’s own capital.
“Aquila has a successful history built on local expertise, and as we now join Catella’s European network, we form a very strong team, internally in Europe as well as on the French market. We look forward to be a part of Catella and our future journey” said Jean-Marc Sabiani and Gilles Barbieri, Founders and Managing Partners at Aquila.
For further information, please contact:
Michel Fischier
CFO
+46-8-463 33 86
michel.fischier@catella.se