OC&C Strategy Consultants | Italy

Following a turbulent 2023, the private equity and M&A landscape in 2024 saw preparation for a rebound, with investor confidence returning across Europe and the Americas. Strong growth emerged in Media, Technology, and Travel, while sectors like Beauty, Pet Care, and World Foods remained attractive, despite inflationary pressures. Our Private Equity Transactions 2024 Report covers: ➡️ Global OC&C Deal Activity: Highlights of successful deals we supported across our core specialisms. ➡️ Sector Strengths & Opportunities: Insights into the resilient industries driving deal value and the emerging investment themes. ➡️ Sell-Side Approaches: How early exit planning and value creation are shaping outcomes. ➡️ Investor Sentiment: Shifting priorities toward quality assets and cautious optimism. ➡️ 2025 – The Year Ahead: With $2.6 trillion in dry powder ready to deploy, AI set to impact all aspects of investments, and sustained investor commitments to ESG, 2025 has the potential to be a transformational year for investments. Throughout the report, we also examine what’s next for each sector, highlighting key trends and opportunities shaping the investment landscape. 📝 Ready to dive deeper? Access the full report for a recap of 2024, alongside key insights and trends shaping the future of private equity. https://lnkd.in/e_iYscqT Have questions or want to discuss how we can support? Reach out directly to Alberto Regazzo, Christian Christodulopulos or contact us at privateequity@occstrategy.com

As we welcome the start of the Lunar New Year, we’re wishing those celebrating prosperity, happiness and success in the year of the snake. The Lunar New Year is a time to honour traditions that bring people together. From family reunions and festive meals to giving red envelopes symbolising good luck and blessings, Lunar New Year celebrations are all about sharing joy and hope for the future. Happy Lunar New Year! #LunarNewYear #OCCLife

We're pleased to congratulate Algebris Investments Green Transition Fund on acquiring a 40% stake in Eurocoltellerie, a leading Italian business in the rent-to-reuse of professional catering equipment. OC&C provided Commercial support to Algebris. Eurocoltellerie is Italy’s market leader in renting and maintaining professional equipment for catering and food processing industries, serving over 25,000 points of sale nationwide. Its clientele includes supermarkets, traditional outlets (such as butchers, fishmongers and delicatessens), the Hotel, Restaurant, and Café sector, and food processing companies. The company has established itself through its innovative business model and technological innovation, becoming the first player in Europe to industrialise equipment treatment and maintenance processes through robotic automation. This process automation ensures efficiency, consistent quality, and extended equipment lifecycles, supporting a circular economy model with significant economic and environmental benefits. Eurocoltellerie’s rent-to-reuse business model provides customers with reliable service continuity, consistent product performance, and the outsourcing of non-core activities—many of which carry health and safety risks when performed in individual locations. With the Green Transition Fund’s investment, Eurocoltellerie will be able to pursue its growth in line with the objectives of its industrial plan. These include consolidating its domestic market presence and prioritising international expansion into key European markets, as well as enhancing its technological model to optimise circularity. To find out more about our expertise in B2B sector, reach out to Alberto Regazzo, or email b2b@occstrategy.com. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gSa6zDrs. #PrivateEquity #B2B

We’re pleased to congratulate Harcos Capital Partners on the creation of Green Alliance. OC&C provided the Commercial support to Harcos Capital Partners for this deal. Green Alliance, a platform designed to take a leading role in the development of renewable energy in the biofuel and biomass sector, is the result of the merger of three major Italian companies in wood biomass distribution: the Woodtech Group, Ricci Pietro, and My Fire. This merger positions Green Alliance as a key player in the European market. With Italy’s biomass sector rapidly evolving, this deal strengthens the country’s leadership in renewable energy distribution across Europe. Green Alliance aims to integrate expertise, resources, and distribution networks to ensure supply stability and reliability, benefiting both the market and end consumers. By streamlining logistics and leveraging economies of scale, the group aims to optimise operating costs, offer competitive pricing, and enhance product availability, in line with principles of environmental and economic sustainability. To find out more about our expertise in B2B sector, reach out to Alberto Regazzo, Marco Costaguta, or email b2b@occstrategy.com. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eNuskPtY. #PrivateEquity #B2B

“The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years has presented extraordinary opportunities for Professional Service firms – though it has not come without its challenges. Successfully adopting AI requires more than enthusiasm for its potential; it demands a strategic, well-structured approach.” As the Professional Services world increasingly adopts AI, common challenges firms face when adopting AI tools are emerging. If unaddressed, these challenges may prevent firms from realising the full benefit of AI – and being left behind by more adept competitors. Our latest thinking unpacks the 6 most common challenges we see Professional Services firms facing, and how they can be overcome. Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/eGYrEuPC. For more insights into AI adoption, contact our expert Fred Ward (He/Him), or email b2bservices@occstrategy.com. #AIAdoption #ProfessionalServices  

We are delighted to congratulate the Inflexion team on their recent investment in Mecenat. OC&C provided commercial due diligence support to Inflexion on this deal. Mecenat is a digitally-led, omni-channel marketplace which connects students, alumni, young professionals and seniors with well-known brands by providing access to exclusive offers, career services and relevant events. Operating across 5 main business areas in Sweden and Finland, the company has almost 3 million members with more than 700 local and global brands – and several partnerships, including Apple and H&M. We look forward to seeing the continued success of Inflexion and Mecenat. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e356C3DQ. To find out more about our expertise in TMT sector, reach out to John Franklin, Mostyn Goodwin or email tmt@occstrategy.com. #PrivateEquity #TMT

In a market experiencing rising consumer expectations and intensifying competition, the ability to balance investments in loyalty programs, pricing strategies, and promotions is an essential factor in retail success.  Achieving this balance requires a diagnostic, consumer-centric approach that maximizes value while maintaining efficiency. Our latest thinking, based on our Retail Proposition Index, outlines 5 critical lessons for brands to optimise their investments and drive long term growth. Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/eK6yi_Ng. To find out more about our expertise in this area, contact John Franklin, Andreas Teller, or email retail@occstrategy.com. #UncommonSense #RetailStrategy #CustomerLoyalty 

We are happy to congratulate Atlas Holdings on their recently signed agreement to acquire Lendlease’s UK Construction business. OC&C provided buy side commercial due diligence to Atlas Holdings to support this transaction. Lendlease is a leading contractor in the UK construction market with a long track record of successful delivery of large and complex projects. The business has been involved in some of the most high-profile construction projects across the UK over many decades, including the Elephant Park development and 8 Bishopsgate. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eBgtpZzb. To find out more about our expertise in the Construction and Infrastructure sectors, reach out to Matt Flood, Vivek Madan, Chessy Whalen, or email b2bservices@occstrategy.com. #PrivateEquity #B2B

We’re kicking off 2025 on a high note! Today, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce the acceleration of our German expansion with the addition of three exceptional Partners to our firm. Our newest Partners, Gregor Enderle, Sebastian Priebe and Sung Ha, bring a wealth of expertise in the TMT space, with deep rooted specialisms and client experience across digital media and platforms, software, IT services and gaming. Upon the announcement, Partner and Global Head of TMT, Justin Walters said: ’‘Our capabilities in the DACH region are transformed by welcoming Gregor, Sebastian, Sung and the broader TMT team back to OC&C. We are delighted to be working together again, and very much looking forward to doing great work for our clients in 2025 and beyond.’’ This latest milestone builds on last year’s announcement of seven new Germany-based Partners, highlighting our continued expansion and commitment in the region. Global Managing Partner, Will Hayllar added: ‘’The return of former colleagues to the firm underscores our belief that OC&C truly is the best home for the best strategy talent’’ We’re proud to continue expanding our presence in this critical market and are excited for what’s ahead. Welcome back, Gregor, Sebastian, and Sung! https://lnkd.in/e3DKC3Pw #StrategyConsulting #Germany #DACH #OCClife #UncommonSense

In today’s competitive landscape, getting the balance right between loyalty and pricing strategies is crucial for brands and retailers. Our latest article unpacks 5 actionable lessons to help brands optimize their investments: 1. Identify which buttons to push – Understand how different customer segments respond to various strategies and prioritize those with the highest ROI. 2. Set outcomes, not budgets – Shift from budget-led decisions to strategies that deliver specific customer outcomes. 3. Beware of double dipping  – Minimise redundancy by streamlining overlapping initiatives for maximum efficiency. 4. Increase the gap from base to peak – Use broad-based approaches sparingly to create room for targeted, high-impact investments. 5. Play the long game – Prioritize Customer Lifetime Value (CTLV) over short-term campaign ROI. Adopting a consumer-centric, diagnostic approach ensures brands can enhance value, drive loyalty, and grow margins sustainably. Read the full article for deeper insights: https://lnkd.in/eK6yi_Ng. To find out more about our expertise in this area, contact John Franklin, Andreas Teller, or retail@occstrategy.com. #UncommonSense #RetailStrategy #CustomerLoyalty