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New Long-Term Investor for Ipsos
Ipsos has welcomed the decision of France's Lac1 fund to take a long-term stake of more than 5% in the company. The fund is managed by Bpifrance on behalf of French and international investors and is dedicated to the long-term support of large listed multinational companies.
 Ipsos was founded by Didier Truchot in 1975 and today operates in 90 markets, employing nearly 20,000 people. This is Lac1's tenth investment to date. The fund has agreed to hold its shares for a period of one year and says it plans to add more, depending on market conditions, 'with the objective of holding 7% of the Company's share capital'. It has also undertaken not to increase its share above the 10% threshold, for a period of two years.
With the 5% threshold crossed, the Board of Directors of Ipsos will propose the appointment of a Lac1 representative as a Director, at the next General Meeting of the Group, scheduled for May next year.
Ipsos says the move is 'a positive testament to the importance of its business', with Lac1 'demonstrating its confidence in Ipsos' long-term growth potential, given its geographic footprint, track record and innovative technology'.
In a statement, Bpifrance said there were many opportunities in the MR sector, not least for consolidation, given that the top ten players in the highly fragmented industry represent only 30% of the market. CEO Nicolas Dufourcq comments: 'We are delighted that the Lac1 fund will become one of the reference shareholders of Ipsos, the French leader in the market research industry. This investment reflects the Lac1 fund's desire to support the Group over the long term, convinced by its attractive growth prospects and its capacity for innovation with the rise of artificial intelligence in its activities'.
Truchot (pictured), now Chairman of the Board of Ipsos, comments: 'The Board of Directors of Ipsos considers the decision of the Lac1 fund to become a significant and long-term shareholder of the company to be excellent news. It is a positive testimony to what has been done to strengthen Ipsos' international position in its business: to provide accurate and clear information and analysis on developments in society and markets. It is also a new guarantee that Ipsos' ambitions will be supported in the future'.
Group home page: www.ipsos.com .
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