Unigestion promotes PJ Frederix to Head of Direct Investments
- Corporate
- Press releases
Unigestion has promoted Pieter-Jan (PJ) Frederix to Head of Direct Investments, Private Equity.
PJ, who is based in London, has worked in the Private Equity team at Unigestion for nine years. He joined Unigestion in 2015 as a Principal and was promoted to Partner in 2021. After a few years of corporate finance experience at both KPMG in Belgium, his home country, and Bear Stearns in the UK, PJ started his private equity career at Veronis Suhler Stevenson in 2008, where he focused on making investments in European mid-market education, healthcare, information and media companies.
In his new role as Head of Direct Investments – which he takes on from Francesco Aldorisio, Head of Investments – PJ will drive the direct investment activities of Unigestion globally. Together with fellow partners Philipp Scheier, based in Zurich, and Michael Toedtli, based in New York City, they are overseeing a dedicated team of 12 investors working across Europe, the US and Asia. This team has invested over $1.6bn into 130 companies since 1996 and achieved eight exits this year, realising attractive returns and distributions to investors during a period when exit activity across the broader private equity industry has been subdued.
PJ and the team are currently focused on new investments through the Article 8-compliant Unigestion Direct III Fund. This Fund, takes a theme-driven approach to investing in private equity’s emerging champions, seeking out companies with growth prospects that show limited correlation to the broader economy.
Unigestion has recently announced the sale of Kindred, a UK-based provider of early years education, to Livingbridge, and has also just exited Aquam Water Services – the UK’s leading provider of outsourced standpipe management services to water utilities water industry. This investment, which has been acquired by Indicor, was made in 2020 through the Unigestion Direct II Fund, alongside lead investor Cadence Equity Partners.
PJ Frederix, Partner and Head of Direct Investments at Unigestion, said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role and helping the team continue providing clients with global exposure to high quality mid-market companies. Our strong network of established GP relationships, emerging managers, independent sponsors and management teams is what allows us to build these robust portfolios. I’m excited for us to be a trusted partner to them for the many deals to come.”
Mark Zund, Head of Private Equity at Unigestion, said: “PJ has proved himself an adept investor over the past nine years, successfully investing in a wide range of companies that have delivered attractive returns for investors. He has also taken on an increasingly important leadership role within the Company and this promotion recognises the work he has already been undertaking. We look forward to his ongoing contribution to our investment platform in the context of a market environment that offers amazing opportunities.”
Ends
For further information please email us at: corporatecommunicationteam@unigestion.com
Important Information
Unigestion Direct II (UDII) has been created as a SCS-SICAV-RAIF in Luxembourg and qualifies as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) within the meaning of the law dated 12 July 2013 on Alternative Investment Fund Managers implementing the Directive 2011/61/EU (AIFMD). This vehicle is closed to investors. UD II has the ability in its sole discretion to change the strategies described herein.
Unigestion Direct III (UDIII) has been created as a SCS-SICAV-RAIF in Luxembourg and qualifies as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) within the meaning of the law dated 12 July 2013 on Alternative Investment Fund Managers implementing the Directive 2011/61/EU (AIFMD). This vehicle is closed to investors. UD III has the ability in its sole discretion to change the strategies described herein.
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