16 February, 2024
16 February 2024: Translink Benelux B.V. (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) is proud to announce its merger with corporate finance boutique AenF (Acquisition and Finance) Partners B.V. This promises significant benefits for existing and prospective clients, given the businesses’ complementary buy- and sell-side specialisations. The merger will also bolster Translink’s footprint across Benelux, adding to the deep global partnerships and expertise evidenced across the growing Translink Corporate Finance group, covering more than 35 countries.
Maurits Hesseling, Managing Partner of Translink Benelux, commented: “Last year, the Translink Group set a strategic objective to become one of the world’s top 10 international mid-market M&A advisory firms. Strengthening our presence in the Netherlands was identified as a key part of that ambition, prompting us to seek a partner with similar international growth objectives and complementary strengths. AenF Partners was the obvious choice, as we share a similar approach to doing business and, more importantly, a very similar company culture. It was clear from the outset that there was a strong cultural fit. AenF Partners has a strong track record in sell-side advisory, while we are highly experienced in buy-side advisory, making our capabilities highly complementary.”
Founded in 2005, AenF Partners has established itself as a leading M&A advisory firm in the Netherlands. The firm has received multiple industry awards, including the M&A Advisor of the Year award in 2016, which was presented to Friso Kuipers in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the Dutch M&A market. M&A Boutique (mid-sized) of the Year in 2018 and the M&A Advisor of the Year award in 2021, presented to Alexander Boissevain. Friso Kuipers, Partner and Co-founder of AenF Partners, said: “The strong alignment in our vision and values made this partnership a natural choice. Over the past few years, we had been looking for a partner that could help us strengthen our international presence. Thanks to Translink’s global expertise and extensive international network, we felt an immediate connection from our very first meeting.”
Alexander Boissevain, Partner and Co-founder of AenF Partners, added: “We also share the same core values. At AenF Partners, we conduct business based on two fundamental principles: integrity and intelligence. Having been active in the Benelux M&A market for over 26 years, Friso and I have built strong relationships across the Dutch M&A community. We always deliver on our promises, ensuring that our clients know exactly what they can expect from us. Translink shares these same values and its reputation for excellence. This strong cultural alignment made the merger a natural next step.”
Complementary strengths
Boissevain says that almost 80% of AenF’s deals are currently on the sell-side, making the cross-border opportunities the merger brings extremely beneficial for the company’s clients seeking to go abroad. Cross-border dealmaking is now a major strength for the ‘new’ Translink Benelux office.
The benefits of being part of a global network of experts across all major M&A sectors cannot be overstated. Kuipers added: “Thanks to our access to an extensive network of international colleagues across a wide range of sectors, we always have up-to-date insights into markets and industries worldwide. This gives our clients a significant advantage.”
Translink has done deals in almost every industry imaginable. AenF Partners is similarly sector agnostic with strong expertise across the spectrum.
A strong, positive outlook for 2024
Kuipers said the team has a strong pipeline of transactions expected to be completed this year. He also anticipates that lower interest rates will drive increased M&A activity across the market. Despite challenging market conditions, Translink Benelux completed four transactions last year, while AenF Partners closed approximately 30 deals. Together, the combined firm is well positioned for a strong 2024.
In terms of trends, Kuipers sees cross-border deals continuing to be a megatrend for 2024. “The world is getting more international every day, and so are our clients. Increasingly, they are looking to start or buy a company abroad to diversify their risk and grow their footprint. Now, as part of the global Translink team, we’re in a very strong position to facilitate these deals. Conversely, we are perfectly positioned to help our global colleagues to get deals done in our local Dutch market.”
Translink Benelux’s office is home to a team of 16 M&A professionals.
For more information on the merger, contact the Translink Benelux office:
Biltstraat 206
3572 BS Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 30 750 89 33
