Lazard and Arini form sourcing agreement for EMEA private credit
Lazard and Arini Capital Management have announced a new alliance focused on direct lending solutions for borrowers across EMEA.
The agreement will expand Lazard’s debt advisory and capital solutions services across EMEA, and will provide Lazard’s corporate and sponsor advisory clients with access to a potential new source of flexible financing solutions.
Under the terms of the deal, Lazard Asset Management will also be able to introduce its clients to the private credit strategy.
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Meanwhile, Arini will have access to Lazard’s origination activities for mid-cap borrowers across the EMEA region. The alliance is a key component of the launch of Arini’s European direct lending strategy.
Arini will maintain full autonomy over the investment process and will supplement Lazard’s non-exclusive sourcing activity with its own proprietary deal origination, the firm said.
Arini Direct Lending will be focused on providing direct lending solutions across the European middle market. Arini’s Europe-focused direct lending fund is expected to be anchored by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) and additional institutional investors.
“Lazard is recognized for our trusted insights to support clients across advisory and asset management in their most strategic initiatives and financial decisions,” said Peter R. Orszag, Lazard’s chief executive and chairman.
“This relationship with Arini embodies our commitment to provide clients with relevant, differentiated solutions and is in support of the firm’s long-term objectives as outlined in Lazard 2030.”
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“Arini has deep roots across European and global credit markets where we have been seeing significant convergence between public and private credit,” said Hamza Lemssouguer, founder and chief investment officer at Arini.
“We are excited to partner with Lazard’s sector, country, and product bankers across Europe to provide access to financing opportunities, with the goal of generating strong risk-adjusted returns for our investors.”
Jean-Louis Girodolle, Lazard’s co-head of European investment banking, added that the growth of private capital is deeply relevant to the firm’s European clients.
“This commercial agreement embodies Lazard’s commitment to provide clients with innovative products and solutions in this area,” he said.
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