Leading global investment firm KKR announced it is partnering with Andrew Williams (former long-time CEO at Halma plc) to pursue new acquisition opportunities in the Industrials sector and, more broadly, across leading UK businesses. Williams will assume the role of Executive Advisor to KKR.
After a company has been acquired, KKR and Williams will work together to support breakthrough operating performance and growth. And KKR expects to support acquired businesses in implementing the broad-based employee ownership and engagement model that it has developed since 2011.
Williams has two decades of experience leading and overseeing industrial companies, most recently serving as CEO of Halma from February 2005 through March 2023. And over 18 years leading Halma, he completed over 100 transactions and managed a global portfolio of around 50 leading high-quality manufacturing businesses operating across safety, health, and environmental end markets. He established Halma’s Sustainable Growth Model, and evolved the company’s high performance and inclusive culture to deliver a sustained track record of resilient growth and outstanding shareholder return for 20+ years.
KKR has been investing in the UK for 25 years and, in April 2023, closed the European Fund VI—an $8 billion fund that invests in the growth of leading businesses by offering access to KKR’s extensive network and business-building resources. KKR is also a founding partner of the cross-sector initiative Ownership Works, a nonprofit on a mission to increase prosperity by developing and implementing broad-based employee ownership programs.
KEY QUOTES:
“We have long admired Andrew’s extraordinary success in building Halma’s consistent track record of profitable growth and are delighted to be teaming up with such a seasoned executive. Andrew closely shares our values of partnership and commitment to helping make good companies great.”
– Mattia Caprioli and Philipp Freise, Partners and Co-Heads of European Private Equity at KKR
“I am delighted to be partnering with KKR to find and make investments in world class companies and contributing my experience and capabilities to drive long term value creation. I have discovered that KKR is great fit for me, as we share a similar philosophy on growing businesses and particularly the importance of building the right culture and attracting, developing and rewarding exceptional talent at all levels.”
– Andrew Williams
“We see tremendous opportunities in the industrials sector and in the UK more broadly. We believe our partnership with Andrew offers a differentiated value proposition to a wide range of businesses seeking to unlock accelerated growth.”
– Chris Drewsen, Director and leader of the Industrials investment group for KKR’s European Private Equity business
