POELLATH advises EQT on strategic partnership with WTS Group

Through its fund EQT X, Swedish financial investor EQT has acquired a stake in WTS Group, a one-stop provider of tax and complementary financial consulting services, as an anchor investor. As part of a long-term partnership with EQT, WTS plans to further expand its investments in digital services and artificial intelligence (AI), thereby strengthening the company’s already strong digital offering. The closing of the transaction is still subject to the standard regulatory approvals and is expected to take place in the summer of 2025.

WTS Group, based in Munich, is a full-service provider of tax consulting and complementary financial advisory services and is one of the leading independent firms in the attractive tax consulting market. The company develops innovative and integrated solutions to help its clients safely navigate tax and finance functions while facing increasing regulatory challenges and support them in the digital transformation. WTS employs over 1,500 people at 14 locations in Germany and serves 95 percent of the DAX40 companies, as well as numerous medium-sized world market leaders.

EQT is a global investment company based in Stockholm, Sweden. The company manages a diversified portfolio with a focus on private equity, infrastructure, real estate and growth financing. EQT has holdings in over 300 companies and is one of the largest private equity firms in the world.

POELLATH advised EQT on the transaction regarding the management participation, providing legal and tax advice with the following Munich-based team:

• Dr. Barbara Koch-Schulte (partner, M&A/private equity, management participation, tax)
• Dr. Michael de Toma (senior associate, M&A/private equity, management participation, tax)