Clearwater International advises Palatine Private Equity on its investment in Anthesis Group

Clearwater International has advised Palatine Private Equity (Palatine) on its acquisition of a significant minority shareholding in Anthesis Group (Anthesis), a fast-growing global sustainability specialist, supporting its commitment to deliver positive ESG outcomes and its first-mover status in mid-market impact investing.

Established in 2013, Anthesis has grown to a turnover of €46m (£40m) (FY2019) and is ranked in the prestigious Sunday Times Fast Track 100 as one of the UK’s fastest-growing private companies, and the International Track 200, for its fast progress in international sales.
Headquartered in London, with a global workforce of 600 consultants across 17 countries, Anthesis supports leading companies, cities and organisations with financially driven sustainability strategies, underpinned by technical expertise. Its clients include 25% of the FTSE 100, 65 of the Fortune 500, and world-leading brands such as Amazon, Target, Kimberley-Clark, and Nestle.

The business has recorded annual organic revenue growth upwards of 20%, and achieved double digit growth in 2020.

Following Palatine’s investment, Anthesis will benefit from its award-wining and pioneering ESG framework, unique expertise in returns-focused impact investing, and its highly successful track record in buy-and build, which has included completing more than 200 acquisitions to date. The investment will enable Anthesis to scale at pace, organically and acquisitively, across borders and disciplines, and accelerate its impact through digitisation.

The acquisition combines investment from both Palatine’s Buyout and its Impact fund – which is the first dedicated returns-focused impact fund launched in the mid-market to back profitable companies which have a positive impact on the environment or society.