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Cinven to acquire a 50% interest in Policy Expert from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

Cinven, a leading international private equity firm has agreed to acquire a 50% interest in Policy Expert from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Cinven’ Strategic Financials Fund (SFF) were advised by the integrated team at A&O Shearman.

Cinven’s SFF builds on Cinven’s leading financial services investment platform in Europe with an investment strategy focused on areas where Cinven has developed significant investment expertise, such as life and non-life insurance and reinsurance, asset-backed specialty finance, wealth management, insurance distributors and other ‘capital light’ financial service providers.

Policy Expert has been one of the UK’s fastest growing insurance businesses since it was founded in 2011. The Company operates as a Managing General Agent (MGA), allowing it to provide insurance solutions with a capital-light business model. From its office network across London, Milton Keynes, Tonbridge and Motherwell, the Company currently serves more than 1.5 million customers in the UK across home and motor insurance segments and plans to launch into pet insurance this year.

Commenting on the deal, private equity partner at A&O Shearman Monika Przygoda said, “It was a privilege to advise the team at Cinven on this transaction – the third one we have navigated together. In this case – because of the nature of the deal - we had the opportunity to provide advice not just from our private equity team but also from our expert colleagues in the firm’s insurance practice, a highly relevant combination for the current market. All told this is an exciting investment and growth opportunity for the Cinven team.”

The deal team was led in London by partners Monika Przygoda, insurance group lead Philip Jarvis and senior associate Preethi Correa with support from associates Chantal Wong, Alex Brown and Angela Chan.