Bridgepoint Opens Negotiations to Acquire Majority Stake in Interpath: A New Era for the Advisory Firm

Introduction

Bridgepoint Group, a London-listed mid-market private equity investor, has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Interpath Ltd., a global financial advisory firm headquartered in the UK. The deal — expected to be valued at around £800 million — would mark a significant milestone in the ongoing consolidation of professional services and corporate advisory businesses and highlight rising investor interest in the sector.

Interpath, originally carved out of KPMG UK’s restructuring division in 2021, has grown rapidly into a multi-service advisory platform covering corporate restructuring, financial advisory, mergers and acquisitions support, and other high-value consultancy services across Europe and beyond.

Bridgepoint and Interpath: Details of the Potential Deal

Bridgepoint’s move represents a planned majority acquisition of Interpath from its current private equity owner, H.I.G. Capital, which has supported the firm since its management buyout from KPMG five years ago. If completed, the transaction will see Bridgepoint take control of Interpath’s strategic direction and financial resources, positioning the firm for its next phase of growth and international expansion.

While financial terms have not been officially disclosed, multiple media reports and industry sources suggest the deal could value Interpath at around £800 million — more than double the price H.I.G. paid in 2021.

The proposed deal is subject to:

• Regulatory approvals
• Customary closing conditions
• Employee consultation processes

It’s expected to complete in late Q2 or Q3 2026, though definitive timing will depend on clearance from competition and financial services regulators.

Why This Matters: Strategic Rationale

1. Growing Investor Appetite for Professional Services

Interpath’s rise and the interest from Bridgepoint reflect a broader trend in private equity: increasing investment into professional and advisory services, which offer stable recurring revenues and scalable frameworks. These businesses — especially those spun out from larger firms like the Big Four accountants — are attractive targets for PE firms seeking to back specialist expertise and international expansion.

Advisory services such as restructuring, deal advisory, CFO-level consulting, and turnaround management remain high in demand as companies navigate complex global markets, post-pandemic economic realignment, and elevated insolvency risk in some sectors.

2. Interpath’s Growth Since the KPMG Spin-Out

Interpath has significantly expanded since its 2021 carve-out from KPMG, transitioning from:

• A UK-focused restructuring arm
  to
• A broad financial advisory firm operating in 12 countries, including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, and the Caribbean.

The firm employs over 1,000 professionals and has diversified its service lines beyond restructuring into corporate finance, deals, valuation, and advisory services — making it a more integrated consultancy platform capable of competing with large global players.

Under H.I.G. Capital’s ownership, Interpath doubled EBITDA and increased revenues, establishing a stronger footprint across European markets. This performance arguably made it an attractive acquisition target for a larger investor like Bridgepoint.

Bridgepoint’s Strategy and Portfolio Expansion

Bridgepoint, listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE 250, is known for backing mid-market companies with strong growth potential and helping them scale internationally. Its existing portfolio already includes several professional services and consulting businesses such as:

• Alpha FMC – specialist asset management consultancy
• HKA – risk mitigation and dispute resolution advisory
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management) – global sustainability consultancy
• Forward Global – financial and operational advisory services

The Interpath acquisition — if completed — would further strengthen Bridgepoint’s presence in the professional services space, adding depth to its advisory capabilities and offering synergies with its existing holdings.

Bridgepoint’s focus on specialist people-led businesses aligns with Interpath’s client-centric consulting model, which emphasizes senior advisory talent and deep industry expertise.

Market Reaction and Competitive Landscape

Interpath’s sale attracted interest from major global private equity firms, reportedly including Blackstone, Onex, PAI Partners, and Permira, before Bridgepoint emerged as the preferred bidder. This competitive environment underscores the strong investor interest in professional services and corporate advisory assets.

The trend of private equity targeting professional services — once dominated by capital for tech and healthcare — reflects strategic diversification by buyout firms seeking stable, high-margin businesses with recurring revenue streams.

Interpath’s Leadership and Vision Post-Acquisition

In public statements, Interpath’s CEO Mark Raddan described the potential partnership with Bridgepoint as a “new chapter,” noting that Bridgepoint’s strategic vision aligns with Interpath’s ambition for international growth, service diversification, and talent attraction.

Bridgepoint’s leadership also emphasized that the firm plans to support Interpath in expanding globally, broadening its service offerings, and selectively pursuing strategic acquisitions to strengthen market position and cross-sell services across industries.

Broader Trends: Private Equity and Professional Services

The proposed Bridgepoint–Interpath deal fits within a broader pattern of private equity consolidation in the professional services sector, where firms spun out of larger accountancy or consulting arms are gaining investor attention due to:

• Independence from audit conflicts
• Attractive recurring fee structures
• Cross-border growth opportunities
• Resilience in economic downturns

Many of the Big Four accounting networks have divested non-audit units in recent years to avoid conflicts of interest and comply with regulatory scrutiny, creating a pipeline of advisory businesses available for private capital partnerships.

Conclusion

Bridgepoint’s opening of exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Interpath represents a landmark deal for 2026 — and a major moment for private equity investment in professional services. With a strong business model, international footprint, and diversified service portfolio, Interpath is positioned for accelerated growth under Bridgepoint’s ownership, while H.I.G. Capital achieves a significant exit.

The expected £800 million valuation highlights robust investor appetite and underscores how private equity is shaping the future of advisory and consulting firms in a dynamic financial landscape.

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