International private equity firm, Cinven, today announces that it has reached an agreement to make a majority investment in Flint Global (‘Flint’ or ‘the Group’), a leading specialist professional services firm, which advises corporates and investors on regulatory, policy, competition and economic matters. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in London in 2015 by Ed Richards and Sir Simon Fraser, Flint has delivered significant growth over the past decade. Following the opening of its first international office in Brussels in 2016, Flint quickly expanded internationally and broadened its service offering. Today the Group has an extensive network of offices in London, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Flint brings together multi-disciplinary expertise with deep regulatory and policy experience, serving a high-quality client base across a wide range of sectors and geographies, including technology, energy, financial services and infrastructure.

Cinven believes Flint represents a compelling primary investment opportunity based on several attractive characteristics:

• High-growth firm in specialist professional services: Flint operates in a fast-growing segment of the professional services industry, driven by increasing geopolitical challenges, global regulatory complexity and the growing interplay between public policy and the broader economy. Flint is a leading advisory business in this category, and Cinven has a strong track record in scaling professional services businesses;


• Strong performance and business model: since its inception, Flint has achieved consistent organic growth and serves a blue-chip and diversified client base with an attractive recurring revenue model. Cinven sees significant opportunity to accelerate the firm’s next phase of growth by expanding its practice areas and supporting further international expansion, including through M&A;


• Exceptional people and culture: Flint has built a high-calibre, multidisciplinary team with a strong collaborative culture. Cinven is excited to work with this outstanding group, led by CEO James Purnell and the broader partnership, to scale the business and enhance its client proposition.


Flint’s co-founders, Ed Richards and Sir Simon Fraser, will remain significant shareholders and active partners. Both will remain on the Board of Directors.

This transaction represents the second investment from Cinven’s new mid-market strategy. The European mid-market is an investment space where Cinven has sector expertise and networks to draw on, particularly in areas aligned with the firm’s core geographic and sector strengths, including across technology and tech-enabled services, business services and financial services.

Anthony Cardona, Partner at Cinven said:

“We are delighted to be investing in Flint and to work with the founders and the partner group to drive the firm’s next phase of growth. Flint’s technical expertise, high quality client base, and exceptional people provide a strong base for the future. We look forward to working with the team to internationalise the business further and accelerate the firm’s growth, including by extending its practice areas, supporting M&A, and enhancing the proposition for institutional investors.”

Luigi Sbrozzi, Partner at Cinven added:

“Flint exemplifies the qualities we seek in our investments: sector-leading positions, a strong and repeat client base, and a clear track record of growth. Cinven’s experience within the professional services sector has shown the value that strategic support and investment can create alongside ambitious founders and management teams.”

James Purnell, CEO of Flint commented:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Cinven at this pivotal moment in Flint’s journey. Their backing will enable us to build on our strengths, invest in our people, and offer our services in more countries. Together, we are ideally positioned to provide great service for our clients and even better opportunities for our colleagues.”

Ed Richards & Sir Simon Fraser, Co-Founders of Flint, concluded:

“We founded Flint to help clients navigate an increasingly complex policy, regulatory, and economic environment. We are very proud of the company’s achievements over our first ten years. We thank our clients and colleagues and our existing investors for their support. Cinven’s investment recognises that success and will accelerate Flint’s next phase of growth under James’ leadership.”

The transaction will complete by year end.