Terra Firma Capital Partners

Terra Firma Capital Partners was founded in 2002 by Guy Hands as a spin-off from Nomura Principal Finance Group, where the team had already completed over $20 billion in leveraged buyouts since 1994. The firm established itself with a strategy of targeting underperforming, asset-heavy businesses in need of strategic or management change, raising several billion euros across multiple funds including the record-breaking debut fund TFCP II.

The firm is perhaps most famous for its 2007 acquisition of the music major EMI, a $4.7 billion deal that struggled following the 2008 financial crisis. The investment led to significant losses and a lengthy legal battle with Citigroup, which eventually took control of EMI in 2011. This period marked a significant turning point for the firm, leading to a smaller fund size for its subsequent vehicles and a shift in fee structures for its investors.

In recent years, Terra Firma has remained active in sectors such as renewable energy, housing, and healthcare. Notable recent activity includes the acquisition of Kier Living (rebranded as Tilia Homes) and Hopkins Homes to form the housing business 'Untypical', as well as the successful exit of the Odeon and UCI cinema groups to AMC Theatres. The firm is also recognized for its commitment to transparency, being a founding member of the Private Equity Foundation and a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.