Affiliates Of Siris Capital Group Complete The Acquisition And Combination Of Equiniti And AST

• Siris brings strong financial resources and extensive strategic and operational expertise in financial technology to Equiniti and AST

• The combination is expected to create a leading international provider of mission-critical shareholder and other complex regulatory technology

LONDON, U.K., NEW YORK, U.S. — Equiniti Group plc (“EQ” or “the Group”) has announced the completion of its acquisition by Earth Private Holdings. Earth Private Holdings is a newly incorporated company affiliated with Siris Capital Group, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Siris”). Siris also announced the completion of its acquisition of AST and the resulting combination of EQ and AST.

EQ is a leading international provider of shareholder, pension, remediation, and credit technology. EQ has over 5,000 employees and supports 36 million people in 120 countries. EQ serves clients and customers through four divisions: EQ Boardroom, EQ Digital, EQ Paymaster and EQ US. AST is a leading provider of technology-enabled ownership data management, analytics, and advisory products and services to corporate issuers and mutual funds in the U.S. and private companies globally. Siris is a leading private equity firm that invests in technology companies with mission-critical products.

Siris, EQ, and AST each share the belief that there is a strategic fit between EQ's and AST's businesses, given their complementary products, services, and customers. The combination is expected to create a leading international provider of mission-critical shareholder and other complex regulatory technology that will be well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of its customers, employees, and other stakeholders. Siris is committed to ensuring that the combined company will be the partner of choice to its customers.

Paul Lynam, CEO of EQ, commented: “As a result of the Siris investment, EQ will have access to the resources it needs to accelerate transformation efforts, enabling the Group to reach its full potential. Siris’ investment should provide greater opportunities for our people and ensure that we continue to be the partner of choice to our customers. I look forward to working closely with Siris and AST as we help the combined business achieve its strategic objectives.”

“The future of our business is bright for both our clients and our employees,” said Martin Flanigan, President & CEO of AST. “The combination of our people, products, and expertise, paired with resources from Siris, will further strengthen our offerings. Together EQ and AST can reach new heights, jointly serving more customers and offering our clients an expanded portfolio of products and services.”

“EQ and AST are proven performers with best-in-class products,” said Michael Hulslander, a Managing Director of Siris. “The combination creates a company with a differentiated portfolio of products and a global footprint that enhances an already attractive customer proposition. We look forward to working closely with management to accelerate growth and innovation.”

John Swainson, an Executive Partner of Siris, added: “I am excited to partner with management to build upon EQ’s and AST’s successful track records. I know Siris is committed to providing the guidance and support needed to help EQ and AST during this next stage of growth as they join together. I look forward to helping build an even stronger business as we focus on opportunities for innovation and growth as a part of the company’s partnership with Siris.”

Greenhill and Goldman Sachs International served as financial advisors to Siris. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Macfarlanes LLP were retained as (respectively) U.S. and U.K. legal advisors to Siris.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

About EQ (Equiniti Group plc)

EQ is a leading international provider of shareholder, pension, remediation, and credit technology. With over 5,000 employees, it supports 36 million people in 120 countries. EQ’s purpose is to care for every customer and simplify every transaction, delivered with less of an impact on the environment.

Find out more https://equiniti.com/

EQ serves clients and customers through four divisions:

EQ Boardroom: Share registration/transfer agent, governance and investor relations advisory, and employee benefits services

EQ Digital: Helping regulated businesses and Government to manage customers through innovative digital solutions

EQ Paymaster: Pensions, annuities, flexible benefits and payroll for the U.K.’s largest public and private sector organisations

EQ U.S.: Transfer agency, equity compensation services and digital solutions for U.S. firms; serving the world's leading brands since 1929

About Siris

Siris is a leading private equity firm that invests primarily in mature technology and telecommunications companies with mission-critical products and services, facing industry changes or other significant transitions. Siris’ development of proprietary research to identify opportunities and its extensive collaboration with its Executive Partners and Advisors are integral to its approach. Siris’ Executive Partners and Advisors are experienced senior operating executives that actively participate in key aspects of the transaction lifecycle to help identify opportunities and drive strategic and operational value. Siris has offices in New York, Silicon Valley and West Palm Beach, and has raised nearly $6 billion in cumulative capital commitments. www.siris.com.

About AST

AST is a leading provider of ownership data management, analytics and advisory services to public and private corporate issuers and mutual funds in the U.S. and private companies globally. AST offers a comprehensive product set, including transfer agency services, cap table management, employee stock plan administration services, proxy solicitation and advisory services, private company solutions and bankruptcy claims administration services. AST affiliates include D.F. King & Co, Inc., AST Private Company Solutions, Inc. and Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc. Learn more at www.astfinancial.com. 

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