MiddleGround Capital, a private equity firm that makes control investments in middle market business-to-business industrial and distribution companies, has launched its European office, alongside hires to lead the new office and several executive promotions.

The firm’s European strategy is based in Amsterdam. By opening this office, the firm works to capitalize on its existing relationships in Europe, access the region’s industrial manufacturing hubs, leverage the local talent base and meet the needs of institutional investors across Europe and the U.K. MiddleGround has hired Alexander van der Have as managing director and head of the investment team, Anthony Denaix as managing director and head of business development and Robert Jonkers as managing director and head of operations. The European team will be comprised of other senior management, including Brandon Hamel, who has been promoted to vice president of the transaction team, and Sarah Varghese, who has been promoted to senior associate of the transaction team.

“I know I speak for the full European Team when I say that we are thrilled to be on board and are ready to start to really ramp-up our expansion efforts and enhance our European presence,” says Denaix. “We all share MiddleGround Capital’s entrepreneurial spirit, and look forward to finding ways to capitalize on the firm’s existing groundwork already in place across Europe.”