BlackRock Long Term Private Capital to Acquire Industry Leading UK Pensions Software Provider Aquila Heywood 

London, February 11, 2021 – BlackRock Long Term Private Capital (LTPC) announces  it has reached an agreement to acquire Aquila Heywood, a UK based market leader in  pensions administration software and services.  

The investment will enable Aquila Heywood to further grow its highly innovative suite of  software solutions, supporting the current and future needs of a fast-growing customer  base within the Pensions sector. 

The existing management team, led by CEO Andy Ross, remain fully committed to  leading the business and driving the next phase of the company’s growth.  

The partnership with Aquila Heywood is BlackRock LTPC’s third investment overall and  second in Europe. It reflects the fund’s unique proposition to founder-driven  companies who value a longer-term investment horizon.  

Andy Ross, CEO of Aquila Heywood said: 

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to develop a strategic partnership with  BlackRock Long Term Private Capital. Through this relationship we will be able to  enhance the value we offer to our customers by making further strategic investments in  our software and technology platforms, as well as growing our highly skilled team of  people. BlackRock LTPC are ideal partners given their sustainable and long-term  approach and we look forward to working closely together on the next phase of our  growth.”  

Dag Skattum, Head of European office, Long Term Private Capital, said:

“It is a privilege to be partnering with the management team of Aquila Heywood to  continue to grow this market-leading and differentiated business. LTPC focuses on  partnerships with best-in-class businesses and uses a longer-term investment duration  and a prudent approach to capital structure in an effort to generate sustainable growth  across our portfolio on behalf of our investors. We see great potential in the strategy,  product offering and leadership team driving Aquila Heywood and we look forward to a  long and fruitful partnership.” 

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

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About BlackRock LTPC  

BlackRock LTPC is an innovative private equity strategy focused on investing in high quality businesses and value creation through active collaboration with management  teams. The strategy’s flexible duration and prudent approach to leverage preserve  optionality for growth and help enable compounded capital appreciation. LTPC’s team  of 17 professionals are based in New York and London and invest across North America  and Western Europe. LTPC is backed by BlackRock, Inc., which manages $259 billion in  alternative investments and commitments on behalf of clients worldwide as of  December 31, 2020. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit  www.blackrock.com/corporate. 

About Aquila Heywood  

Aquila Heywood builds modern software solutions for pension schemes, pension  administrators and employers to help transform how their members manage their  lifelong financial journeys. The company’s aim is to inspire members, customers and  policymakers, and together create an environment that enables everyone to make more  informed decisions to improve their financial security. Deep sector experience ensures  that as the UK pensions sector continues to evolve through legislative and regulatory  change, pension administrators are fully supported by our complementary solutions  and consultancy services. 

Media Contacts  

BlackRock  

Emma Phillips 
+44 7841220365 
[email protected] 

Venetia Hendy  
+44 7776496563 
[email protected] 

Christopher Beattie 
+1 (646) 231-8518 [email protected]