Investec funds BB Capital's de Rolf Groep acquisition in Benelux

Investec Bank plc (“Investec” or “the Bank”) is pleased to announce that its direct lending team has completed its first integrated asset-based (“ABL”) and cashflow lending transaction in The Netherlands, supporting Dutch private equity fund, BB Capital Investments, with its acquisition of education materials provider, de Rolf Groep (‘Rolf’). The transaction was led by Investec’s recently appointed ABL lead in The Netherlands, Danielle van den Elshout.

Investec’s ability to blend asset-based and cashflow lending enables it to deliver certainty for growth, acquisitions, refinancing and wealth realisation. Investec is seeing growing demand for this kind of lending from mid-market corporate clients in certain sectors, notably manufacturing, distribution and B2B services. In this particular transaction, Investec was able to provide an integrated debt facility to support Rolf with its highly seasonal working capital requirements as well as the acquisition finance debt.

The transaction builds on Investec’s existing operations across Europe and specifically in the Benelux, which include cashflow lending, fund solutions and M&A advisory. Danielle is Investec’s first hire in the Netherlands for its integrated offering and brings over two decades of experience to the team, joining from ING where latterly, she led and structured mid-market asset-based financing solutions.

Investec has been active in the Benelux since 2014 and, through the acquisition of a majority interest in what is now Capitalmind Investec in 2023, also provides M&A advice in the region and Europe, as well as through its European subsidiary, Investec Europe Ltd, and the planned expansion of the Treasury Risk Solutions team, strengthening its footprint across Continental Europe.

James Cullen, Investec’s Head of Integrated ABL & Cashflow lending commented:

“BB Capital Investments’ acquisition of Rolf, using our integrated funding capability, is a milestone transaction for Investec. We have brought to bear our long-standing expertise integrating cashflow and asset-based lending in the UK market in a transaction that is further evidence of our determination to bring innovative solutions to the European market. We’re also particularly delighted to welcome Danielle, who brings a wealth of asset-based lending experience to our offering in The Netherlands, enabling the team to provide an ever more specialised offering to mid-market corporate clients in Continental Europe.”

Danielle van den Elshout, Director, Benelux Origination added:

“Rolf is a longstanding, compelling business in its market and we are delighted to be partnering with BB Capital and management in the next stage of their growth plan.
It is an exciting time in the market for ABL and cashflow lending as there is a real opportunity for the integrated offering and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to expand the existing UK franchise into the Benelux mid-market and to grow the business for Investec in Europe. Our ability to deliver this kind of solutions from a single team, a single credit process and the same deal team becoming the long-term relationship team is a real differentiator.”

Alexandre Neiss, Head of Benelux Origination commented:

“We are delighted to broaden our offering to the Benelux Private Equity and Corporate market introducing the integrated ABL product. The reception has been very strong and the opportunity large and I am very pleased we have been able to support BB Capital with the acquisition of Rolf. It is great to have Danielle on board to help us spearhead this initiative, we look forward to helping her grow this business in the Benelux.”