Ardian, a private investment house, has acquired a majority stake of about 60 percent in Assist Digital, an international provider of customer experience services.
Assist Digital has a network of 20 offices located across Europe, including Italy, France, Germany, the U.K., Spain and the Netherlands. The firm employs over 600 professionals working across consultancy, data science, software engineering and user experience and user interface design, as well as 5,000 contact center agents based across its European facilities. Through this partnership, Assist Digital aims to drive the implementation of its international expansion strategy. Progressio SGR, which has invested in Assist Digital through the Progressio Investimenti Fund III, will divest its minority stake of about 40 percent. BNL/BNP Paribas, a minority shareholder alongside Progressio, will also reinvest in Assist Digital.
Ardian’s investment strengthens our resilience and ability to face challenges, and will help us to expand internationally,” says Enrico Donati, executive chairman, Assist Digital. “Our employees, who are at the heart of this company’s dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial culture, will also benefit from new opportunities for professional growth and development.”
Clearwater International acted as M&A advisor, Roland Berger acted as strategic consultant, KPMG acted as financial advisor and Studio Gattai, Minoli, Partners acted as legal advisor to Ardian. Giovannelli & Associati acted as legal advisor and Deloitte acted as financial advisor to Assist Digital.