Alchemy Partners

Alchemy Partners
Company typeLimited liability partnership
IndustryPrivate Equity
Founded1997 (1997)
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Key people
Dominic Slade (Managing Partner),
Ian Cash (Partner),
Frits Prakke (Partner)
ProductsInvestments, private equity funds
Total assets£1500 million
Websitewww.alchemypartners.co.uk

Alchemy Partners is a British private equity firm, which specialises in investing in distressed and undervalued or underperforming businesses and other special situations through debt and equity throughout Europe.[1]

Alchemy was founded in 1997 by Martin Bolland and Jon Moulton.[2] Before launching dedicated distressed vehicles, it invested in other transactions. Notable transactions included Four Seasons Health Care,[3] Alcentra[4] and Phoenix IT.[5]

Alchemy came to public notice in 1999, when it was negotiating to buy Rover Group from BMW; its advisory board members included former Rover MD Kevin Morley. After public protests, the discussions were abandoned when the government imposed additional conditions to the transaction.[6]

Alchemy launched its first distressed debt fund, Alchemy Special Opportunities, in 2006 with a final close of £300m.

Moulton resigned from Alchemy in September 2009, saying that he disagreed with plans by other partners to turn Alchemy into a specialist financial services firm.[7]

Alchemy raised £500m for the second distressed debt fund in 2010 and £600m for Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund III in March 2014.[8][1] A fourth fund was announced in August 2017,[9] with a final close of $1.2bn in October 2018.[10]

The Funds invest in the debt and equity of public and private companies in the UK and continental Europe. Funding is provided by a large number of blue-chip investors including major banks, pension funds, fund-of-funds, university endowments and high-net-worth individuals. Today the firm manages over £1.5bn.[1]

Alchemy is structured as an advisory business based in London, Alchemy Partners LLP, which advises a fund manager based in Guernsey, Alchemy Partners (Guernsey) Ltd.[1][11]

  1. ^ a b c d "Alchemy Partners website". Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  2. ^ Jon Moulton, founder, Alchemy Partners: Dicing with the debt meister. The Independent, 29 October 2006
  3. ^ "Care homes net Alchemy £200m". The Independent. 2004-07-05. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  4. ^ "Alcentra's Credit Alternatives Vision". thehedgefundjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  5. ^ Wray, Richard (2004-10-27). "Phoenix float will enrich chief". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  6. ^ "BBC News - BUSINESS - Alchemy shies away from Rover risk". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Alchemy hit by Moulton's parting shots". Financial Times. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Alchemy fund eyes distressed companies". Financial Times. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Alchemy Partners prepares for flagship fund launch". Financial News. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Alchemy Partners Portfolio Investments, Alchemy Partners Funds, Alchemy Partners Exits". www.cbinsights.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  11. ^ "Alchemy fund eyes distressed companies". Financial Times. April 4, 2011.