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London, UK, 17 June 2024 V.Group ("V."), the global provider of mission critical services to the maritime industry, is pleased to announce that a consortium led by STAR Capital ("STAR") including Ackermans & van Haaren (Euronext: ACKB) and others ("Consortium") has signed an agreement to acquire the company from Advent International. The transaction is subject to regulatory consents and is expected to complete in early autumn 2024. Financial terms have not been disclosed. This transaction is an endorsement of V.'s client-focused strategy and ambition to be the Committed Partner of Progress for Everything at Sea. STAR and the Consortium will provide V. with a strong financial foundation from which to further grow and to accelerate the continuing strategic development of the company, all the while further enhancing V.'s steadfast commitments to clients, seafarers, and the responsible stewardship of the seas. René Kofod-Olsen, CEO of V. said: "I am truly excited to welcome such well-respected, long-term investors with deep shipping sector experience to assume the ownership of V. I have no doubt that this transaction will further strengthen V., allowing us to accelerate investments across our shipping and services platform to the benefit of our customers, employees and the industry." Graham Westgarth, Chair of V. said: "I would like to congratulate the V. team on their new ownership with STAR and its Consortium and continuing the tremendously positive developments of recent years, in establishing V. as the shipping industry's partner of choice. I am looking forward to the company's continued success." Aditya Bindal, Partner of STAR said: "V. is an excellent fit for STAR's investment strategy with its strong brand and leading position in a highly fragmented market, making it a natural leader in providing technical management and marine services to fleet owners and operators, including those turning to outsourced services for the first time. We have been impressed by the team, their track record and vision for the company, and look forward to supporting them as they continue to deliver value for the company's customers consistently and over time." 
About V. With over 40 years of experience in shipping, V. is the leading, trusted, global provider of mission critical services to the maritime industry. V. serves approximately 3,500 vessels from pedigree shipowners and managers alike, with safety and compliance at the heart of V.'s operating model. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including technical ship management, crew management, crew welfare services (e.g. catering, travel, and digital wallets & payment cards), leveraged procurement, technical services, specialist insurance broking, and modern shipping-specific digital solutions. About STAR STAR is a European investment fund manager focused on investing in and developing businesses that benefit from a strategic market position and provide an essential service to their customer base. Since inception, STAR has built over 28 businesses with a total enterprise value in excess of €10 billion through more than 100 acquisitions. STAR has a track record in value generation and driving growth, typically investing in companies with enterprise values of between €50m and €1 billion. STAR has previously invested successfully in the shipping sector, including maritime engineering group, Blohm+Voss and global container shipping industry, MPC Container Ships. V.Group press release 
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