Mizuho Acquires Augusta To Boost Green Finance Reach

Mizuho Financial Group has revealed its purchase of Augusta and Co, a well-known European independent financial advising company focusing on renewable energy and the energy transition industry. The purchase shows Mizuho's dedication to promoting sustainable finance as well as the planned growth of its worldwide mergers and acquisitions (MandA) platform. Subject to regulatory approvals, the deal calls for Mizuho to acquire 100% of Augusta and Co. 's equity, with the transaction scheduled to finalize by October 2025.

Established more than twenty years ago, Augusta and Co. has a great name for advising on intricate and organized transactions in the renewable energy sector. Through strong ties throughout the renewable investment environment, the company has been instrumental in influencing the European energy transition advisory business. Augusta and Co will keep its brand identity and leadership structure following the acquisition and keep working alongside Mizuho's larger worldwide MandA platform. Particularly, the transaction leaves out Augusta's asset management company, which keeps separate from the arrangement.

Mizuho hopes to strengthen its advisory skills in the worldwide renewable energy business and broaden its reputation in energy transition financing through this acquisition. This phase fits well with the group's long-term plan to assist its customers' decarbonization and sustainability objectives. Mizuho is establishing itself as a leader in providing end-to-end financial services for the move to a low-carbon economy by combining Augusta and Co. 's specialized knowledge with its vast worldwide reach and financial offerings.

Head of the Global Investment Banking Division at Mizuho Securities, Yutaka Nanjo stressed the strategic importance of the transaction. Nanjo stated, "We are thrilled to announce our planned acquisition of Augusta and Co, which represents an innovative next step in our plan to support our customers' move toward a low-carbon economy. "Augusta and Co is a major name in renewable advisory services with strong ties to renewable investors. By means of this deal, their specialized knowledge is combined with our worldwide reach, client base, and product inventory. This complements our already successful worldwide MandA platform, which we strengthened with our purchase of Greenhill in 2023.

The deal also highlights Mizuho's more general approach to sustainability and climate. Yasuhiko Ushikubo, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mizuho Financial Group, said the acquisition is a natural extension of the company's decarbonization efforts. "Creating new opportunities in the renewable energy industry helps Mizuho Group support our customers on their decarbonizing path. Ushikubo remarked, "Today's news completely fits with our group's sustainability plan and objectives. "

Also noting the operational benefits of the acquisition was President and CEO of Mizuho International and Head of the Corporate and Investment Bank in the EMEA region, Suneel Bakhshi. We are happy to welcome the gifted team at Augusta and Co to Mizuho Financial Group. For a variety of renewable technologies, they provide a full array of financial advice services that will improve our abilities in the industry. This reaffirms our commitment to provide long-term value for our customers and the communities we serve and also bolsters our position to be a top financial institution in sustainable financing. ”

From Augusta and Co's viewpoint, the acquisition marks both a culmination of years of industry leadership and a springboard for future expansion. Mortimer Menzel and James Knight, managing partners at Augusta and Co, spoke enthusiastically about the collaboration with Mizuho. We are proud to have developed Augusta from modest beginnings over the past 23 years into a leading independent European financial advisor in renewables and energy transition with a reputation for strict client focus and closing difficult, structured transactions, they said. Along with our partners Simon Clement-Davies, Charlie Hodges, and Romane Guitard and the larger team, we are now bringing Augusta to the next level. With a shared vision of a sustainable future, we are eager to start the following phase of our expansion by bringing Augusta's leading sector knowledge with Mizuho's worldwide reach, thorough energy funding, and capital market prowess.

Furthermore pointing out that the renewables sector is changing and that there is a growing need for specialist, tailored advice supported by a bigger product line, they said, “As renewables market transactions get more complex and global, they also need more specialist, bespoke counsel backed by a broader product base—which will be central to our business model. ”