BC Partners in the $5.2 billion recapitalization of GardaWorld

On July 23, 2019, BC Partners announced its definitive agreement to acquire Rhône Group's equity interest in GardaWorld, the largest privately-owned security and cash services company in the world, in a $5.2 billion recapitalization. Following closing, BC Partners will have a 51% common equity interest in GardaWorld while Stephan Crétier, together with select members of management, will hold 49%. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by late 2019.

GardaWorld is the world's largest privately-owned security services company, offering cash services, physical and specialized security solutions and, with the Crisis24 portal, the dissemination of vetted information related to international security.  Headquartered in Montreal, GardaWorld has over 92,000 highly skilled, dedicated professionals employed across North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

BC Partners is a UK-based leading international investment firm with over €22 billion of assets under management in private equity, private credit and real estate.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP represented BC Partners with a team led by Shahir Guindi and Hugo-Pierre Gagnon, consisting of Calvin Leung, Lynne Lacoursière (Corporate), Firoz Ahmed, Matias Milet (Tax), Damian Rigolo, Shari Cohen (Employment & Labour), Julien Ranger (Pensions & Benefits) and Natalie Munroe (Osler Works Transactional).