Top US investment firm opens first Australia & NZ office

Advent International, a US-headquartered global private equity investment firm overseeing US$94 billion (AU$140 billion), has announced the opening of its inaugural Australasian office.

Based in Sydney, Advent’s newest global division will be led by Beau Dixon, formerly managing partner at Anchorage Capital Partners.

Dixon, who also served as a member of Anchorage’s Investment Committee, was recognised by Advent for his “strong investment track record and sound operational and board experience with portfolio companies”.

“He will be responsible for leading a high calibre team to ensure that Advent can deploy its investment philosophy in Australia and New Zealand,” the firm said.

Advent stressed the importance of Australia and New Zealand as key markets for growth, “with significant opportunities for private capital to be deployed in high-quality companies with strong investment potential”.

The firm said its expansion into the Australian and New Zealand markets are part of its continuing global growth strategy, and will further cement its position in the Asia Pacific region.

Advent noted its existing investments in the Australasia markets, including with luxury fashion brand ZIMMERMANN, payments group Transaction Services Group (part of Xplor Technologies), and Cobham and Ultra Electronics, as well as defence, aerospace and technology companies with past and present operations in Australia.

Advent said its new office will continue investing in leading companies that operate in Advent’s core sectors, including business and financial services, healthcare, industrial, retail, consumer and leisure, and technology.

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest global private equity investors, with 420 private equity investments across 43 countries.

The firm counts 15 offices in 12 countries, across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

The new Sydney office is Advent’s fourth in the Asia-Pacific region after Shanghai, Hong Kong and Mumbai.