Sagard, a global alternative asset manager, and Unigestion, a European middle market private equity firm, announced the combination of their private equity platforms, creating a global leader in middle market private equity investment solutions. The new platform will manage over $23 billion USD in private equity assets and will offer a greatly enhanced geographical reach and product scope, delivering bespoke and scalable private equity solutions across primaries, secondaries and co-investments to institutional and high net worth investors. As a result of this combination, Sagard will manage approximately $44 billion USD in assets post-closing.
Unigestion's non-private equity businesses are excluded from the transaction and Sagard's other direct private equity strategies based in France and Canada will continue to be managed separately.
Unigestion brings a long track record of delivering private equity solutions to institutions, family offices, and other sophisticated investors through both customized mandates and commingled funds. The combination will leverage Unigestion's distinctive strengths, including its entrepreneurial culture, bespoke investment approach, and client-centric model, while benefiting from Sagard's broader global network and multi-strategy capabilities.
Unigestion, a firm with a long and successful history under the leadership of Bernard Sabrier, and a culture that is highly aligned with Sagard's, brings deep investment expertise, strong investor relationships and formidable investment discipline. Unigestion's track record of building deep client relationships by crafting customized private equity programs makes them a natural partner for Sagard as we take this next step toward becoming a global leader in the middle market. — Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sagard
This combination paves the way for a new growth chapter and will be first and foremost beneficial to our LPs. Sagard's values and long-term orientation align closely with ours. It allows us to remain true to the entrepreneurial DNA and client focus that define Unigestion, while positioning us for long-term growth within a broader global firm. — Bernard Sabrier, Group Chairman of Unigestion
Bernard Sabrier, who has led Unigestion's strategic development over multiple decades, will be the Chairman of the new private equity platform and will join Sagard's Board as Vice Chairman, reinforcing long-term alignment and continuity as the two firms unite. The FAMSA foundation which he chairs will become a significant shareholder of Sagard.
Jonathan Tétrault, Managing Partner at Sagard, will become CEO of the platform combining private equity primaries, secondaries and co-investment activities.
This partnership will considerably accelerate our journey to become a global leader in middle market private equity. It also marks a key milestone in our strategic expansion across both Europe and Asia. I look forward to working with Christophe de Dardel and Mark Zünd, who will continue to lead Unigestion's private equity business, in building out our combined platform. — Jonathan Tétrault, Managing Partner at Sagard
The transaction is expected to close in early 2026, pending regulatory approvals. UBS acted as exclusive financial advisor to Unigestion and Lenz & Staehelin acted as legal counsel to the Unigestion Private Equity Holding SA shareholders in this transaction. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) acted as financial due diligence advisor, Deloitte LLP acted as tax advisor, and McDermott Will & Schulte, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as legal advisors to Sagard.
About Sagard
Sagard is a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm with more than $32 billion USD in assets under management, 190 portfolio companies, and 400 professionals. We invest in venture capital, private equity, private credit, and real estate. We deliver flexible capital, an entrepreneurial culture, and a global network of investors, commercial partners, advisors, and value creation experts. Our dynamic and supportive ecosystem gives our partners the advantage they need to learn, grow and win at every stage. The firm has offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.