Valuations remain high and new investments likely to be lower than in 2018. The market trend is still regarded as 'seller-friendly' for the time being. Political and economic uncertainty both are likely to affect future M&A transactions. Therefore valuation was the threat that linked all topics that were discussed during the third edition of the Benelux Private Equity Breakfast on 16 May. The event was organised by CMS and Pedersen & Partners.
The panel consisted of Brigitte van der Maarel (Head of Mezzanine & Equity Partners at NIBC Bank), Mark Bakker (Director Benelux Private Equity at 3i), Dick Boer (Head of European Real Estate, Diversified Industries & Services at Kempen & Co), Jeroen Lenssen (Vice President at Riverside Europe), Franck de Lange (Head of Leveraged Finance Europe at ABN AMRO) and Pieter van Duijvenvoorde (Corporate/M&A Partner at CMS). The discussion was led by Mark Ziekman (Corporate/M&A Partner at CMS) and Poul Pedersen (Managing Partner at Pedersen & Partners).