CVC invests in Ridge

By acquiring an equity stake in Ridge and Partners, CVC Capital Partners captures a professional services platform generating annual net fee income of £100–200M while strengthening its portfolio exposure to European technical advisory services. Formally announced on September 17, 2026, the transaction is executed through the CVC Catalyst III fund and orchestrates the full institutional exit of Horizon Capital, which had partnered with the consultancy since April 2023. Under the finalized transaction structure, the existing Equity Partners of Ridge and Partners reinvest alongside the incoming sponsor, retaining significant equity ownership under the partner-led governance framework. At the time of this recapitalization, Ridge and Partners was generating an adjusted EBITDA of £25–50M, supported by a multi-year compound annual revenue growth rate of approximately 23% achieved since 2022 and sustained by client retention generating roughly 88% repeat revenue. The strategic investment rationale articulated by CVC Capital Partners focuses on deploying institutional resources to accelerate strategic add-on mergers and acquisitions, expand cross-disciplinary service capabilities, and support capacity for complex civil infrastructure commissions. Sell-side advisory execution was managed by Rothschild, which acted as exclusive mergers and acquisitions financial advisor to Horizon Capital and the equity partners of Ridge and Partners. Buy-side legal structuring and transaction counsel for CVC Capital Partners were directed by Latham & Watkins.

The acquisition of Ridge is part of the growth strategy of CVC, which already has several external growth operations under its belt, notably EcoEridania in 2026.