Cevian Capital
Institutional Member
Cevian Capital is an international investment firm acquiring significant ownership positions in publicly-listed European companies, where long-term value can be enhanced through active ownership.
Cevian was founded by Lars Förberg and Christer Gardell in 2002 to continue the active ownership investment strategy they initiated and have executed since 1996.
Today, Cevian Capital manages more than €13 billion dedicated to active ownership investing in Europe. Its long-term capital base is provided primarily by leading pension funds, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds. Its current investment fund, Cevian Capital II, was launched in 2006 and is an evergreen vehicle.
Cevian Capital is advised by Cevian Capital AB (Stockholm), Cevian Capital AG (Zürich) and Cevian Capital LLP (London).
Cevian creates value by (i) acquiring substantial ownership positions in undervalued European listed companies and (ii) working with the boards and management teams of those companies to increase their long-term competitiveness, thereby creating real value for all shareholders and other stakeholders.
Cevian generally invests in sound companies that are overlooked, misunderstood, or out-of-favor with investors.
It works in a hands-on and constructive manner to realize value-enhancement potential in operations, corporate strategy/organizational structure, financial management and corporate governance.
Cevian manages a concentrated portfolio, holding significant ownership positions in a limited number of publicly-listed companies for lengthy periods. It is typically the largest or second largest owner of its portfolio companies. Consequently Cevian maintains a strong commitment to each of its investments.
Prior to investing, Cevian commits considerable time and resources to develop a deep understanding of prospective portfolio companies’ fundamentals and value-enhancement potential.
Investment decisions are informed by a well-established, rigorous and proprietary fundamental research process, including comprehensive operational, commercial, financial, legal and governance analysis. Such research normally entails several months of intensive work, often on a global basis.
Once it is an owner, Cevian works with its portfolio companies to increase their long-term competitiveness, thereby creating meaningful and lasting value for all shareholders and other stakeholders. Cevian team members frequently join the boards of portfolio companies, reflecting Cevian’s constructive, hands-on and long-term approach.