Apis Growth Fund I, a private equity fund managed by Apis Partners, has exited Efficient Group to the Apex Group, a global financial services provider. 

Completion of the Transaction is subject to the approval of the Competition Commission of South Africa.

Efficient is an asset management and advisory firm providing a range of solutions to the investment management industry, including asset administration services, asset management services, financial products distribution, and professional financial advice to both retail and institutional investors in South Africa.

It operates the largest co-branded asset administration platform in South Africa, Boutique Collective Investments (BCI), and a suite of leading independent financial advisory businesses with a network of more than 200 registered financial advisors servicing almost 100,000 clients across South Africa.

The Fund acquired its interest in Efficient in October 2019 and subsequently facilitated its delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) via a minority shareholder buyout in June 2020. Over the period of the Fund’s ownership, Efficient’s Profit After Tax (PAT) increased by more than 400%, whilst Apis has supported the management team in making several acquisitions that have bolstered the Company’s product portfolio. Upon completion of the Transaction, the Fund will have exited its entire stake in the Company.

Matteo Stefanel, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Apis Partners added: “When Apis invested in Efficient in 2019, we were impressed by its strong position in the co-branded collective investment schemes administration and management space. Consistent with our strategy to facilitate access to appropriate financial products, we supported the growth of BCI’s market-leading co-branded offering, and are confident that this positive impact on customers’ financial wellbeing will continue to expand under Apex’s ownership.”

Prior to completion of the Transaction, Efficient will undertake an internal reorganisation which will result in the formation of two independent companies under the control of the current shareholder group.

Efficient will retain ownership of BCI, Boutique Investment Partners (BIP), and two other entities, while a newly created holding company will own all the remaining entities, including the market-leading independent financial advisory franchises which will continue to function under the Efficient brand.

Apex is one of the largest asset management service providers in the world and the acquisition of BCI and BIP will add $19bn of asset under administration to the Apex Group platform.

BCI and BIP clients will benefit from access to Apex’s local hedge fund solutions, offshore fund solutions, fintech, data solution and tech-enabled services, in addition to its expanded team of more than 12,000 people worldwide.

The acquired businesses will join Apex’s expanding African footprint following the recent acquisitions of Sanne and Maitland, further reinforcing Apex’s commitment to the region.

Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of the Apex Group, commented: “The strategic addition of the unit trust management company adds greater product depth and expanded reach, particularly for our ManCo services offering, and further reinforces our commitment to South Africa, a key hub for our global business. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues from Efficient  who are aligned with our commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience with local service delivery.”

Heiko Weidhase, CEO of the Efficient Group, added: “Efficient has always followed a very successful growth strategy in the Wealth, Risk, and Investments segment of the financial services market, ensuring that the Company has expanded into a leader in the financial services industry. This transaction allows the Company to continue expanding the business by focusing on partners that align with the overall expansion of the retail client base strategy and value proposition.”