family office

The middle-market buyout segment has been relatively underpenetrated by private equity (PE) investors, with less than 5% of mid-market companies backed by a financial sponsor. Despite this, there is strong interest among GPs and LPs alike, on the basis of the attractive characteristics and broad opportunities in the market. So what type of companies are classed as mid-market and what’s their appeal to PE investors?

There are widespread and ongoing discussions among family businesses about thepotential roles and contributions of next-generation family members. In some cases, this is the result of impending succession decisions and the need for a smooth transition from one generation to the next. But, in other cases, younger family members aren’t waiting for formal transitions. They’re focused on contributing today to aworld that will still be sustainable in 100 years' time.

The secondary market has become a useful tool for liquidity within the private market arena. General partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs) alike can manage assets or release cashflow through a secondary transaction, if situations or investment strategies change. 

As the new generation begins to come through, many current family business leaders are recognising that not all of their next-generation family members will work in the business. As a result, there are increasing concerns about the succession of the business amongst business families – and what ramifications this has for how wealth is defined and sustained.

One response may be to look at selling the family business to other families or to larger organisations.