Ardian acquires majority stake in Assist Digital, a leading European provider of end-to-end customer experience services and digital CRM technology, to accelerate its international growth

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake of about 60% in Assist Digital, the fast-growing international company providing end-to-end customer experience services. The firm is a leader in digital services and CRM technology with a network of 20 offices located across Europe, including in Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.

Progressio SGR, which has invested in Assist Digital through the Progressio Investimenti Fund III, will divest its minority stake while the management team will reinvest strongly alongside new partner Ardian, maintaining a stake of about 40%. BNL/Bnp Paribas, minority shareholder alongside Progressio, will also reinvest in Assist Digital.

Under the leadership of Executive Chairman Enrico Donati and CEO Francesca Gabrielli, Assist Digital has become a pan-European market leader serving over 100 blue-chip clients, including well-known brands such as ENI, Stellantis, Toyota, Luxottica, Vodafone and DAZN. Assist Digital’s unique offering and integrated business model has enabled the company to compete on a global scale by offering a suite of innovative and customer-centric end-to-end technology solutions and services.  

The company’s success can also be credited to its skilled workforce and omnichannel structure, which is powered by its proprietary Artificial Intelligence software. The firm employs over 600 professionals working across consultancy, data science, software engineering and UX/UI design, and 5,000 contact center agents based across its European offices.

In 2022, Assist Digital recorded turnover of over €165 million, up 30% year-on-year, and expanded its international footprint through organic growth in its core markets. Management expects to achieve further increases in turnover this year, reaching more than €200 million by the end of 2023.

Through its partnership with Ardian, Assist Digital will be able to accelerate the implementation of its international expansion strategy, which will include M&A, and benefit from Ardian’s wide network of contacts. Ardian will also support the company with its continued investment in innovation and technology, while enhancing managerial continuity and the company's ability to attract new talent.

"Assist Digital's target market remains resilient even in the current economic climate. The company has significant organic growth potential as part of the trend towards outsourcing and digital transformation, which will be bolstered by its international M&A strategy. The Expansion team at Ardian offers a unique combination of strategic and financial support to strengthen Assist Digital’s presence in Europe. We see enormous potential in the company’s collaborative and skilled management team, who we will support in this next phase of growth by drawing on our experience and international network.” Marco Molteni, Managing Director, Ardian

“Ardian is the ideal partner to accelerate Assist Digital's growth. Assist Digital is a unique skills and services platform, capable of attracting the best talent, empowering digital transformation and delivering a new standard of customer experience for our clients. Ardian’s investment strengthens our resilience and ability to face challenges, and will help us to expand internationally. Our employees, who are at the heart of this company’s dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial culture, will also benefit from new opportunities for professional growth and development”. Enrico Donati, Executive Chairman, Assist Digital

“We are proud to have supported Assist Digital's management team on an important development path, also with acquisitions in several European countries. We are convinced that there are preconditions to reach ambitious goals in the near future, which will lead to the further strengthening of Assist Digital's leadership position on a European scale”. Massimo Dan, Partner Progressio Sgr