US private equity firm to acquire Ambassadors
Providence Equity Partners is set to become the majority shareholder in ATG following a multi-million pound deal which sees co-founder Peter Beckwith sell his stake in the business.
The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG) has announced an agreement for global private equity firm Providence Equity Partners to become a major shareholder in the company. Providence have purchased a majority share from current investors led by Exponent Private Equity, who, according to The Stage, will be “retaining an 18% stake in the company” and will continue to work with Providence and the existing management team. Prior to the sale, Exponent had been ATG’s majority shareholder since 2009 when the company acquired Live Nation’s UK theatres.
The parties declined to comment on financial terms, but the Financial Times reports that the deal values the company at about £350m including debt, “according to two people with knowledge of the matter”. The Independent reports that the sale has involved property tycoon Peter Beckwith selling his stake in the business which he co-founded more than 20 years ago, together with husband-and-wife team Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE, “taking his personal profits from the business to several millions of pounds.”
Panter and Squire, who remain as ATG’s Joint CEOs, said: “We’re thrilled with today’s announcement and very pleased to be working alongside Providence in taking ATG into the next exciting phase of its development. This new partnership cements the foundations for the company’s planned future growth. Providence’s extensive global reach and its existing investments in media, digital and live entertainment companies around the world offer an unparalleled opportunity for ATG to realise its international ambitions.”
Providence is the world’s leading private equity firm focused on media, communications, education and information investments and manages funds with $37 billion in commitments. Andrew Tisdale, Managing Director of Providence, said: “We believe strongly in the long term value of live entertainment.” ATG has grown to include 40 venues in Britain and on Broadway, and is an internationally recognised theatre producer with co-productions in across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. ATG is also a leader in theatre ticketing services, issuing more than 10m tickets annually through ATG Tickets.
Join the Discussion
You must be logged in to post a comment.