Ardian signs pact to secure 60% majority stake in Assist Digital

• Progressio SGR will divest its minority stake in Assist Digital
• BNP Paribas, a minority shareholder, to reinvest in Assist Digital
• Ardian is a private equity firm with $140 billion of assets

Ardian has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake of around 60 percent in Assist Digital, an international firm that offers end-to-end customer experience services.

Assist Digital, headquartered in Milan, has offices in Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain and Netherlands.

Progressio SGR will divest its minority stake in Assist Digital. Progressio SGR invested in Assist Digital through its Progressio Investimenti Fund III.

Assist Digital’s management team, headed by president and founder Enrico Donati and CEO Francesca Gabrielli, will maintain around 40 percent of the company alongside Ardian. BNP Paribas, a minority shareholder, will also reinvest via its subsidiary BNL.

“Assist Digital’s target market remains resilient even in the current economic climate,” said Marco Molteni, managing director of Ardian. “The company has significant organic growth potential as part of the trend towards outsourcing and digital transformation, which will be bolstered by its international M&A strategy.”

Assist Digital reported a turnover of more than €165 million in 2022, a 30 percent rise year-on-year. The management aims to further increase turnover to over €200 million by the end of 2023.

“Ardian’s investment strengthens our resilience and ability to face challenges and will help us to expand internationally,” said Enrico Donati, executive chairman, Assist Digital.

Ardian is a private investment house that manages $140 billion of assets for over 1,400 clients globally. The firm has over 1,000 employees, and has offices in Europe, US, and Asia, with its headquarters in Paris.

Progressio SGR is a private equity firm focused on investing in Italian mid-market companies. It is headquartered in Milan.