Eight Capital Ptnrs. - Agreement with Altarius Asset Management
16/01/2026 07:00
RNS Number : 1445P
Eight Capital Partners PLC
16 January 2026
16 January 2026
Eight Capital Partners plc
Announcement of agreement with Altarius Asset Management
Intention to establish an Investment Fund (SICAV)
Eight Capital Partners plc ("ECP", "Eight Capital", the "Group" or the "Company"), the financial services and investment group operating across Europe and Asia, announces that it has entered into a letter of engagement with Altarius Asset Management Limited ("Altarius") for Altarius to establish a SICAV (Société d'Investissement à Capital Variable) and two sub-funds, focused on private debt and private equity investments. Subject to the establishment of the SICAV and completion of the applicable regulatory processes, Altarius will be appointed as discretionary investment manager of the SICAV. The Company will not undertake any regulated activity with respect to the SICAV or the sub-funds.
The Board believes that this agreement will help establish the foundation of its broader long‑term objectives by leveraging Altarius' expertise in private markets, portfolio construction and risk management, and will assist in creating a vertically integrated financial services platform, spanning the Company's existing business offerings and advisory services. The agreement is the latest milestone by ECP in recent months, following the appointment of Federico Bazzoni as Executive Chairman. ECP has also recently strengthened the Board with new appointments to support its growth strategy and has welcomed new, long-term-oriented investors onto the share register.
It is anticipated that the SICAV will be established during the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory processes.
Engagement Terms
The letter of engagement relates to Altarius' involvement in the regulatory set-up of a Luxembourg-domiciled SICAV, as a Reserved Alternative Investment Fund ("RAIF"), with two initial sub-funds. Following the establishment of the SICAV, an investment management agreement is expected to be entered into between the SICAV and Altarius.
Altarius will be engaged as the investment manager and will retain sole and full discretionary responsibility for all investment decisions, through its internal investment committee, in accordance with its regulatory obligations.
The Company will act as a sponsor to the SICAV and will not undertake any regulated activity. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company anticipates that ECP Advisors LLP ("ECPA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, will be appointed as investment adviser to the two sub-funds, providing advisory services, including deal origination, due diligence and investment recommendations, for which it will receive fees. All investment decisions shall remain solely with Altarius.
Structure of the SICAV
The SICAV is expected to comprise two sub-funds, being:
· Private Debt Sub-Fund: the fund will focus on investments in private debt instruments, including but not limited to: senior and subordinated loans, uni-tranche financings and other forms of structured credit, primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. The strategy will seek to generate recurring income while preserving capital through disciplined underwriting and robust risk management processes; and
· Private Equity Sub-Fund: the fund will invest in minority and/or controlling stakes in unlisted companies, with a focus on growth capital and buy-out transactions. The objective will be to achieve medium to long-term value creation through industrial development initiatives, operational optimisation and strategic support to portfolio company management teams.
The SICAV is expected to generate returns through investment performance at the sub-fund level. Any economic benefit to ECP is expected to arise over time through its shareholding in the SICAV (including potential dividends or capital appreciation), direct investment in the sub-funds or through ECPA receiving advisory fees.
The Company does not intend to commit cash capital to the SICAV sub-funds at this stage. It is currently anticipated that a contribution in kind of an existing asset held on the Company's balance sheet may be made to the private debt sub-fund in exchange for units in that sub-fund. Investment into the sub-funds will be limited to institutional and professional investors only.
The board of the SICAV is expected to comprise three directors, including one representative of Altarius, one representative of ECP and one independent director. The SICAV's board will not exercise investment discretion and will be responsible for statutory, governance and oversight matters.
Federico Bazzoni, Executive Chairman, said, "This agreement will help amplify the Company's existing strategy and operations, by utilising Altarius' experience in both private debt and private equity markets. We look forward to working with Altarius and leveraging its fund management abilities to open new avenues for platform development and market expansion."
Pierre Maliczak, CEO of Altarius Asset Management Limited, said, "Collaborating with ECP represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen our fund solutions. Their advisory expertise and capital focus will accelerate growth across our portfolio of managed funds."
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.
For further information, please contact:
| Eight Capital Partners plc Federico Bazzoni, Executive Chairman | ir@eight.capital |
| Cairn Financial Advisers LLP AQSE Corporate Adviser Jo Turner / Liam Murray / Ed Downes | +44 20 7213 0880 |
| Teneo Financial Communications Advisor James Macey White / Laura Marshall / Arthur Rogers | ECP@teneo.com +44 20 7353 4200 |