Firm Updates

Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, today announces the appointment of Ismail Afara as Head of Infrastructure investments across the Middle East. Underscoring the firm’s long-term strategic commitment to the region, this appointment establishes a permanent, on-the-ground investment presence in the Greater Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Ismail Afara will be responsible for overseeing regional investment origination and asset management across Partners Group’s private markets asset classes, with a primary focus on infrastructure. Ismail Afara has been part of the European infrastructure leadership team for many years and brings substantial investment experience across Digital, Energy, Transport and Social infrastructure. He will relocate to Abu Dhabi and build a dedicated team, while also collaborating closely with investment teams globally. 

 Middle East

 Infrastructure

Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, today announces the appointment of Abdullah Alshamlan as Head of Kuwait. The appointment follows the firm’s recent announcement regarding its office opening in Kuwait, the application process for which is underway. Abdullah Alshamlan will lead Partners Group operations in the country, overseeing client coverage, business development, and strategic partnerships. He will work closely with institutional and private wealth clients, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, family offices and private banks, supporting their access to private markets and long-term portfolio construction. He will report to Suhail Albaz, Chairman Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. 

 Middle East

 Clients

Partners Group's private credit platform has closed an investment to support future growth at Lyocontract (or "the Company"), a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization ("CDMO") in Germany, which is backed by Great Point Partners. Partners Group invested through its European Direct Lending strategy on behalf of its clients. The Partners Group investment is structured as a unitranche loan and a Delayed Draw Term Loan facility, which is a committed, unfunded financing option that allows borrowers to draw down specific amounts at predetermined intervals. The proceeds will be used to refinance Lyocontract's existing term loan facilities and partially fund the expansion of the Company's existing production facility. This capex project is expected to double Lyocontract's production capacity by 2028 and add over 80 local jobs.

Germany  

Private Credit

Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, acting on behalf of its clients, has realized attractive returns on its full exit from Galderma (SWX: GALD), one of the largest global dermatology companies. Partners Group invested in Galderma through its private equity secondaries platform. On 13 March, Partners Group, as part of an EQT-led consortium and alongside other selling shareholders, exited a 14.3% stake in Galderma via an accelerated book build process, which marked the largest private equity-backed block trade globally to-date. Partners Group had invested over CHF 400 million in Galderma, with this final stake sale realizing total proceeds of c. CHF 1.6 billion after hedging. Partners Group invested in Galderma in 2019 as part of an EQT-led consortium that acquired the company from Nestle. Partners Group invested further equity in 2023 as part of an additional capital injection alongside a group of existing shareholders and new investors. Following Galderma's IPO in 2024, Partners Group has been gradually exiting its stake as part of the EQT-led consortium.

Switzerland  

Private Equity

Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, today announces the successful execution of a further block trade in its investee company, Vishal Mega Mart (“Vishal”), a leading retailer in India, as part of its disciplined, phased sell‑down following the company’s initial public offering in December 2024. On 26 February 2026, an entity affiliated with Partners Group completed a block trade of Vishal shares with a total value of approximately USD 840 million, representing around 14% of the company’s outstanding share capital. Partners Group received pro‑rata proceeds of approximately USD 560 million from the transaction, resulting in an additional liquidity event for its clients at an IRR of approximately 36%.

 India

 Private Equity

Partners Group and Barings today announced the successful closing of an investment-grade rated financing to support a $365 million investment in Partners Group Private Loans SICAV SIF, an evergreen private credit vehicle focused on direct lending opportunities globally.

USA

Private Credit