# C_2017027EN.01001901.xml

| 27.1.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/19 |
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27.1.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/19

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8345 — HPS/MDP/NFP)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 27/13)

| 1. | On 16 January 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which HPS Group, LP (HPS, US) acquires, via three investment funds, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of NFP Holdings, LLC (NFP, US) by way of purchase of shares. NPF is currently solely controlled by Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (MDP, US). |
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1.

On 16 January 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which HPS Group, LP (HPS, US) acquires, via three investment funds, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of NFP Holdings, LLC (NFP, US) by way of purchase of shares. NPF is currently solely controlled by Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (MDP, US).

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are as follows:






  — | HPS is an international investment firm that focuses on acquisitions and strategic financing or recapitalisation of companies that require financial assistance. It controls portfolio companies in a number of sectors, including one UK insurance broker. |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are as follows:

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HPS is an international investment firm that focuses on acquisitions and strategic financing or recapitalisation of companies that require financial assistance. It controls portfolio companies in a number of sectors, including one UK insurance broker.

| — | MDP is a private equity investment firm that focuses on management buyouts, growth financing, financing for recapitalisation and acquisitions. It controls portfolio companies in a number of sectors, including two UK insurance brokers and an insurance broking platform. |
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MDP is a private equity investment firm that focuses on management buyouts, growth financing, financing for recapitalisation and acquisitions. It controls portfolio companies in a number of sectors, including two UK insurance brokers and an insurance broking platform.

| — | NFP is a US insurance broker. Its only activities in the EEA are those of two subsidiaries, Linkfield Corporate Solutions Ltd and Mackenzie Taylor Benefits Consultants Ltd, both of which are insurance brokers, active only in the UK. |
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NFP is a US insurance broker. Its only activities in the EEA are those of two subsidiaries, Linkfield Corporate Solutions Ltd and Mackenzie Taylor Benefits Consultants Ltd, both of which are insurance brokers, active only in the UK.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in this Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in this Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+ 32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8345 — HPS/MDP/NFP, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+ 32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8345 — HPS/MDP/NFP, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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