AURELIUS

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 AURELIUS 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱. In addition to welcoming 13 new joiners since beginning of the year, the office footprint has expanded to accommodate our growing team: 𝟭) To address our strong growth in the UK, we have expanded our office space by 50% at our iconic Piccadilly Circus location. 𝟮) The Luxembourg team is now also in a larger office at 4, Rue Jean Monnet. 𝟯) The Milan office is now situated on the famous Via San Pietro all ‘Orto. We are proud to see our team and offices grow across the world.

𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗨𝗦 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺. Each of them brings valuable experience and fresh ideas to AURELIUS, adding to our diverse in-house skillset. Join us in welcoming them! Thamirys Cotini, Hannah Cowling, Sydney de Groot, Sonja Strobl, Johannes Noll, Melanie Mergen, Arne Freigang, Markus Tenelsen, Paul Sullivan, Sheridan O’Brien, Toby Freeman, Scott Beach, Nick Schubert #Welcome #NewTeamMembers #AURELIUSinside

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗨𝗦-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗖 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟳, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀. Its Bavaria plant specialised solely in DC technology and so was suddenly deemed non-core. Although we weren’t experts of the sector, we saw potential and decided to buy. Rather than sticking to the plant’s original scope, its employees proposed an expansion into AC production – precisely the strategy Sauer Danfoss had opted to focus on. Crucially, the workforce had both the expertise and machinery to back up their idea. AURELIUS’ co-founder Gert Purkert and his operations team seized the opportunity. Within less than a year, the plant was successfully manufacturing AC motors. So successfully, in fact, that Sauer Danfoss ended up selling the AC plant it had retained to AURELIUS as well. Not everything was plain sailing, however: An attempt to prohibit beer consumption on the shop floor sparked strong resistance from much of the workforce, with some even threatening to go on strike. Ultimately a compromise was reached – while beer was banned during work hours, the canteen was allowed to continue to sell it at lunchtime, narrowly avoiding a walkout.

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟰𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗲, 𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗨𝗦’ 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. Its journey to today is one of graft rather than gilt – perhaps not dissimilar to the hundreds of businesses it has helped transform over the last two decades. Sitting in a cramped room within an art publishing house in Munich in 2005 were two McKinsey alumni, convinced by an investment approach they’d devised and contemplating their first hires and initial transaction. Dirk Markus and Gert Purkert used their professional experience to create a very distinctive business model which would go on to become a unique success story in a very competitive private equity market. Then – just as now – the two rolled up their sleeves to get things done. They agreed on the importance of continuous self-improvement and simplifying complexity, both principles of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, the king philosopher who also believed in maintaining focus and high ethical standards at all times. His beliefs resonated, and the namesake helped it stick. The brand AURELIUS was born. Finding the logo involved Dirk’s wife, whose past in the advertising world helped in creating the first stylised lion, ultimately forming the basis for today’s green branding. Alongside laying the foundations for AURELIUS, the co-founders were busy sourcing their first deal. Deutsche Post Wohnen took the title, a former employee hostel converted by Deutsche Post into a three-star hotel. Its poor performance allowed AURELIUS to purchase it at a symbolic purchase price and then apply their newly developed methodology, later to be known as AUROM, for transforming it. Renamed Ghotel, it would become not only one of the longest held assets of the firm, but also one of the most fascinating and successful projects in its 20-year history. By Christmas 2005, the newly formed team at AURELIUS – still numbering single-digits – were able to celebrate a very productive first year.

Last week, we had the pleasure of connecting with MBA students at Universität St.Gallen (HSG) - one of Europe’s most prestigious universities and the alma mater of many AURELIUS colleagues, including our Founding Partner, Dirk Markus. Around thirty MBA students attended our presentation and the subsequent networking session where we discussed various career opportunities at AURELIUS.   Thank you for hosting us, we look forward to coming back!  

AURELIUS Growth Investments appoints Timo Stahlbuhk as Partner. Timo has been a Managing Director since 2023, bringing over twelve years of M&A expertise from investment banking. “AURELIUS Growth Investments has been on a strong growth trajectory for years. Timo enhances our team with his entrepreneurial mindset, extensive M&A experience and ability to unlock potential. He has already made a significant contribution to our success and the growth of our portfolio. We look forward to continuing our collaboration”, comments Nico Vitense, Managing Partner of AURELIUS Growth Investments. “Since its inception, AURELIUS Growth Investments has been a trusted partner for founders and owners of well performing companies. After more than twelve years advising businesses, I look forward to leveraging my experience to build new industry leaders alongside our team of more than 45 specialists. Our team is defined by entrepreneurial thinking and the ability to develop tailor-made solutions for Buy & Build strategies and succession planning. From the outset, I have found this strength to be extremely valuable, both personally and for our portfolio,” says Timo Stahlbuhk. For more information, find the news-link in the comments below!

Proud to see our portfolio company tmGroup (UK) ltd. leading innovation in the UK property market.

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲-𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀. Our latest AURELIUS Corporate Carve-Out Survey reveals that more than 80% of respondents expect a rise in corporate divestitures this year. This is up by more than a fifth from our survey a year ago, when it stood at 66%. The dominant reason for corporate divestitures in 2025 is the need to refocus on core operations, cited by 70% of respondents. “The new year has brought no end to the uncertainty businesses have faced for half a decade now. Newly elected governments in the UK and US are making significant changes to taxation and regulation for many businesses, changes that may inspire corporates to reassess their strategic priorities, often leading to divestment decisions,” says Tristan Nagler, Partner at AURELIUS Investment Advisory. 𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆: 1) Certainty of execution will be key to winning carve-out opportunities 2) Value strategy is the best investment approach to carve-outs 3) More buyers are pursuing corporate carve-outs 4) Valuation gaps are narrowing 5) Struggles in fundraising might lead to consolidation within the PE industry 6) Private equity needs better PR Thank you to all experts who contributed to this year’s survey with their valuable insights. To read more click on our full Insights article below.

AURELIUS Finance Company, the Private Debt segment of AURELIUS, announces the appointment of James Elliott as New Business Specialist, North. James joins AURELIUS Finance Company from ABN AMRO Commercial Finance, where he spent over 13 years, most recently as Director - Origination. In this newly created role, and in line with AURELIUS Finance Company’s core expertise, James will be responsible for originating, structuring, and executing complex secured debt mandates, at pace, in the North of England. “We are delighted to welcome James to AURELIUS Finance Company to drive our new business activities across the North of England. The region has been a catalyst for our growth, as demonstrated by the bespoke facilities which we have provided to National Timber Group, Trutex and The Original Factory Shop over recent years. Expanding our origination capacity in a region that offers great opportunities to support traditional British manufacturing is an exciting next step,” commented James Marler, Head of New Business at AURELIUS Finance Company.  “AURELIUS Finance Company is on an impressive growth trajectory, and I am excited to now be a part of that. Our team achieved record deployment levels in 2023 and then again in 2024 with the portfolio surpassing GBP 175m, supported by additional Wells Fargo funding. This is testament to the team’s capabilities and strength. I look forward to expanding the business in the North of England, leveraging both my experience and my network to identify opportunities to support UK mid-market companies with bespoke financing solutions to achieve a range of corporate objectives. I will primarily base myself across Leeds and Manchester but would welcome the chance to engage with professional advisors across the entire region as we grow our business here,” added James Elliott.

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲-𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. Our AURELIUS Corporate Carve-out Survey uncovers key trends expected to shape the market in 2025.  𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 1) Buyers ability to execute will be key to winning carve-out opportunities 2) The best investment approach to carve-outs is a value strategy 3) The number of buyers pursuing corporate carve-outs is on the rise Our survey canvassed the expertise of almost 130 professionals in the advisory, private equity and corporate space. Curious to learn more? 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱: the next post will reveal the remaining key findings and the complete article.