BC Partners acquires Dutch puzzle publisher Keesing

18 November 2020

The investment firm BC Partners buys Keesing Media Group. The European market leader in printed and digital puzzles and braintainment games is currently owned by Mediahuis and Ergon Capital.

The acquisition is meant to globally expand the 'digital footprint' of the century-old puzzle publisher. Keesing publishes roughly 100 million puzzle magazines per year in more than 15 European countries, including ‘Denksport’ in the Netherlands, ‘Sport Cérébral’ in France and ‘Megastar’ in Spain, Italy and Germany. Keesing is headquartered in Amsterdam.

Founded in 1986, BC Partners is an investment firm that manages more than EUR 27 billion in private equity, personal loans and real estate assets. The firm has offices in Europe and New York and currently invests in its tenth private equity fund.

The transaction is still subject to the competition authorities’ approval.

Houthoff advised BC Partners on the acquisition of Keesing Media Group. The team was led by Michiel Wesseling and included Richard Witvliet, Emma Schutte, Jeanne Beck, Matthijs Malessy, Jasmijn Harms, Anouk Boutens, Arjan Adams, Jeroen van Mourik, Chantal Presilli, Thomas de Weerd and Jori de Goffau.