IK Partners, a European private equity firm, announced it has strengthened its leadership team by promoting five professionals to Partner across its Paris and Amsterdam offices, while also formalizing a new advisory arrangement with majority shareholder Wendel that will see IK support Wendel’s direct private investment activities through a newly established unit.
The firm appointed Onne Tjerkstra and Xavier Lemonnier as Partners within the Investment team, and Jakob Treffers, Jérôme Richard and David Varet as Partners within the Operations team. IK said the promotions extend its internal talent-development track record, with Tjerkstra joining the Small Cap Investment team in Amsterdam after working on Benelux transactions with a focus on business services, and Treffers stepping into a Partner role within the Amsterdam-based Operations team, where he supports portfolio companies on commercial improvement and lean initiatives.
The appointments of Lemonnier, Richard, and Varet are tied to a new agreement in place since January 1, 2026, under which IK will advise Wendel’s direct private investment activities via Wendel Principal Investments (WPI). WPI will comprise existing and future upper-mid cap control investments in private companies that remain under Wendel’s control, with the structure designed to provide portfolio continuity while leveraging IK’s broader platform.
IK said WPI will be supported by a dedicated team within IK made up of former Paris-based Wendel employees. Lemonnier, who previously served as a Managing Director at Wendel after joining the group in 2018, will lead the WPI team and strategy, with support from Guillaume Veber, a Director in IK’s existing Mid Cap Investment team.
The arrangement is intended to give Wendel access to IK’s scale, operational resources, and investment expertise to accelerate value creation while maintaining control over its direct investment portfolio. IK said WPI will initially encompass six existing investments and is structured to enhance Wendel’s ability to identify, execute and manage upper-mid cap opportunities aligned with its investment strategy.
IK also cited the agreement as a growth lever for its own platform, citing additional development opportunities for its teams and an enhanced co-investment offering for its investor base. The firm said it invested in 12 new companies and exited five since the start of 2025, and that it has held closes on funds totaling €5.75 billion in commitments over the same period, including the €3.3 billion close of the IK X Fund in April 2025, the €2.0 billion close of IK Small Cap IV in July 2025, and the €450 million close of IK Partnership Fund III in October 2025.
KEY QUOTES:
“Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of those joining the Leadership team here at IK. These appointments are in recognition of the excellent work being done to drive the growth of our Firm. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to support Wendel through this new advisory role which sees the formation of WPI and is another illustration of the mutual benefits of being part of the Group. We look forward to contributing our operational insight and institutional capabilities to help develop WPI’s existing and future portfolio.”
Christopher Masek, CEO, IK Partners
“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the WPI team at IK as we look to continue growing our portfolio of upper-mid cap investments. With the added expertise of its Investment and Operations teams, coupled with the impressive track record the Company has of investing in successful businesses across Europe, we are now able to capitalise on an exciting pipeline of investment opportunities.”
Xavier Lemonnier, Partner, IK Partners; Head of the WPI Strategy
