APAX Partners

Paris, 25 May 2010 – Apax Partners SA announces that funds managed by Hutton Collins Partners LLP will invest in the holding company of Vizada, one of the leading worldwide providers of mobile satellite communication services. The Apax Funds will remain by far the majority shareholders and will continue to actively support the company’s future growth.

The transaction amounts to €116 million and is structured as preference shares. It does not impact the company’s cash flows and provides Vizada with full flexibility, notably to participate in the ongoing consolidation of the industry.

“In a few years, Vizada has become a major satellite service provider known for the efficiency and reliability of its communication solutions anywhere in the world. We are pleased to have Hutton Collins as a new partner to support the company’s growth. Through this transaction, the current shareholders will be able to realise part of the value created so far, while continuing to support Vizada’s ambitious development strategy”, said Bertrand Pivin, partner of Apax Partners.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Apax Partners in France again and investing in the Vizada group. Vizada has demonstrated the quality of its offering with its consistent historic revenue and profit growth and we are excited by Vizada’s prospects within both the MSS and VSAT segments of the mobile satellite communications industry”, said Haseeb Aziz, partner of Hutton Collins.

This transaction remains notably subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission.

About Vizada

Vizada is one of the leading global providers of mobile satellite communication solutions. It was created in 2007 when the Apax Funds acquired and combined France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications (FTMSC) and Telenor Satellite Services (TSS), subsidiaries of two telecoms operators.
The company operates in two major areas of business: (1) MSS, which supplies mobile satellite communications solutions over the Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya networks, and (2) VSAT, which offers secure broadband communications over private networks, even in the most remote parts of the world (chiefly for maritime and governmental applications: naval fleets, emergency response teams, government and military units, media agencies, natural-resource exploration companies, airlines and others).
Vizada operates worldwide through subsidiaries in Europe, the US, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific Rim.
Please also visit: www.vizada.com. 

About Hutton Collins

Hutton Collins provides preferred capital to high quality businesses in the UK and continental Europe.  The firm invests alongside entrepreneurs, management teams, corporates and financial sponsors who require capital to fulfil their strategic objectives.  The firm works closely with its equity partners to provide bespoke solutions to their financing requirements through a range of junior debt instruments, preferred equity and/or minority equity structures.
Hutton Collins manages over €1.4 billion of dedicated funds on behalf of leading global financial institutions.  Since its inception in 2002, the firm has completed 22 investment transactions in 21 companies including Télédiffusion de France, Coral Eurobet, Radio 538, Pizza Express, Interlinks Electronic Europe, Wagamama, Loch Fyne Restaurants, James Hull Associates, Healthcare at Home and Aquafil.
Please also visit: www.huttoncollins.com

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners SA is a leading private equity firm in France. With more than 30 years of investing experience, Apax Partners provides long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies.
Funds raised and managed by Apax Partners SA exceed €2 billion. These Funds invest in fast-growing companies across Apax’ sectors of specialisation: Technology, Telecom, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare, Business & Financial Services.
For additional information, see: www.apax.fr

For further information, please contact:

Apax Partners SA
Agathe Heinrich - Communication Director
Tel.: +33 1 53 65 01 35
Email: agathe.heinrich@apax.fr