BC Partners’ European chair Nikos Stathopoulos is relocating from the UK to Greece as the private equity firm prepares to establish an office in Athens and expand its investment activity in the country, according to Private Equity Wire. The London-based buyout firm manages more than $40bn in assets, and is reportedly planning to raise additional capital for investments in Greece, where it has operated for approximately two decades, according to Private Equity Wire.
Relocation tied to Athens expansion plans
The planned Athens office and Stathopoulos’s relocation were reported by the Financial Times, as referenced by Private Equity Wire. The Financial Times reported that Stathopoulos’s move was driven by BC Partners’ expansion plans rather than tax incentives, according to Private Equity Wire.
Capital raising plans for Greece
BC Partners is reportedly planning to raise additional capital for investments in Greece, where it has operated for approximately two decades, according to Private Equity Wire. Private Equity Wire described BC Partners as a London-based buyout firm that manages more than $40bn in assets.
Prior transactions cited in Greece
BC Partners’ previous transactions in Greece include retailer Pet City and private education provider Alphabet, according to Private Equity Wire. Private Equity Wire reported these transactions were undertaken through BC Partners’ flagship buyout strategy and a separate investment vehicle.
Greece tax incentives and other relocations
The relocation comes as Greece introduces tax incentives aimed at attracting private equity and hedge fund executives from established financial centres, according to Private Equity Wire. Under the new regime, qualifying executives relocating to the country are subject to a 5% tax rate on bonuses and carried interest, compared with the standard 15% rate, according to Private Equity Wire.
Hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos is also understood to be relocating to Greece, according to Private Equity Wire. Private Equity Wire reported that the development reflects Athens’ growing ambitions to establish itself as a European investment hub and attract international alternative asset managers.
Widely-known context: Greece has introduced policy measures in recent years intended to attract foreign professionals and investment activity to the country.
