Acquisition of VPM's stake in Gimv by WorxInvest finalised
The sale of Gimv shares by the Vlaamse Participatiemaatschappij (VPM) to the diversified investment company WorxInvest was finalised today. All necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained, allowing the closing of the transaction that was announced on November 30th, 2023. This means that WorxInvest becomes the new reference shareholder of Gimv, European investment company listed on Euronext Brussels, with a stake of 28.73% after additional purchases between signing and closing.
Following the closing of this transaction, there also has been a reshuffle in Gimv's board of directors. Filip Dierckx is co-opted into the board of directors of Gimv and becomes chairman. In addition, the board of directors of Gimv co-opts the following two directors nominated by WorxInvest: Robert van Goethem and Marc Valentiny. A CV of these new directors is available at www.gimv.com.
The following directors representing VPM resigned from Gimv's board of directors upon completion of this transaction: Hilde Laga, Marc Descheemaecker, Jan Desmeth and Geert Peeters.
Filip Dierckx, Executive Chairman of WorxInvest and incoming Chairman of Gimv, declares: “We are delighted to start a new entrepreneurial chapter with Gimv in the further development of Gimv, with WorxInvest sharing the same values and investment philosophy with Gimv. Both Gimv and WorxInvest aspire to sustainably maximise value in their portfolio companies. The investment in Gimv is a major step in the roll-out of WorxInvest's strategy that we announced in November 2023. It will form the basis of the direct investment strategy we are building. WorxInvest is committed to driving Gimv's long-term profitable growth. We look forward to working with Koen Dejonckheere and his team to ensure the success of this value-creating partnership.”
Hilde Laga, Outgoing Chairman of Gimv, declares: “We are particularly proud of what Gimv has been able to achieve over the past 44 years. It is with great confidence in Gimv's future that we can now complete this transaction. We are convinced that WorxInvest is the ideal long-term partner to continue this beautiful growth story. We wish the Gimv team every success in continuing ‘Building Leading Companies’ in cooperation with the new reference shareholder.”