Berkshire Global Advisors acted as financial advisor to Kennedy Capital Management, Inc.
Seller Details:
Founded in 1980, St. Louis-based Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. delivers investment strategies to corporate and public pension funds, endowments, foundations, multi-employer plans and high-net-worth individuals. As a registered investment adviser, KCM specializes in the management of small and mid-cap strategies across the growth-value spectrum. KCM integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into its research process and has nearly 20 years’ experience managing socially-responsible client accounts.
Buyer Details:
Azimut is one of Europe’s leading independent groups active (since 1989) in the asset management sector. The parent company Azimut Holding was listed on the Italian stock exchange on 7 July 2004 (AZM.MI) and is a member, among others, of the main Italian index FTSE MIB. The shareholder structure includes over 1,900 managers, employees and financial advisors bound by a shareholders’ agreement that controls ca. 22% of the company. The remaining is free float. The Group comprises various companies active in the sale, management and distribution of financial and insurance products, with registered offices mainly in Italy, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), Egypt, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE and USA. In Italy, Azimut Capital Management SGR sells and manages Italian mutual funds, Italian alternative investment funds, as well as being active in the discretionary management of individual investment portfolios.
Transaction Summary:
Under the agreement, Azimut will acquire a minority interest in KCM and gain access to the North American market, and KCM will continue to operate independently, maintaining control over its investment processes, brand and culture, with no changes to the investment strategies or teams. Asset growth brought about by this agreement can facilitate the retention and recruitment of top talent, a crucial factor in reinforcing the flywheel that has driven KCM’s success over multiple decades and market cycles.