Clifford Chance advises Bridgepoint, Partners Group and Vermaat management on the intended sale of Vermaat to Compass

Global law firm Clifford Chance has advised Bridgepoint, one of the world’s leading quoted private asset growth investors, as well as Partners Group and Vermaat’s management team, on the intended sale of Vermaat Groep B.V. (‘Vermaat’), the Netherlands-based premium catering and hospitality services provider, to Compass Group PLC (‘Compass’), a global leader in food services, in a transaction that values the company at an enterprise value of c. €1.5 billion.

Bridgepoint will fully exit its holding, alongside Partners Group (acting on behalf of its clients), which first acquired Vermaat in 2015 and remained a minority shareholder after Bridgepoint’s investment in 2019—both transactions on which Clifford Chance has previously advised. Since Bridgepoint’s investment, Vermaat has transformed into a clear European leader, doubling its revenue to c.€700 million by year-end and serving 700+ locations across multiple sectors. Under Bridgepoint’s ownership, Vermaat brought its proven Dutch model into France and Germany, building scale through selective acquisitions and operational improvements. The Vermaat management team will join Compass on completion and will continue operating the business on a standalone basis, whilst leveraging the benefits of being part of a larger group.