Permira to acquire majority stake in Westbridge, advancing sustainability in real estate

Global investment firm Permira has announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Westbridge Advisory (“Westbridge”), a prominent European energy and sustainability advisory firm serving institutional real estate clients. The transaction marks a strategic exit for current investor GENUI, while Westbridge’s founders will significantly reinvest alongside Permira Funds. The deal is expected to close by the end of Q1 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

Headquartered in Frankfurt with offices in London, Warsaw, and Zurich, Westbridge specializes in energy procurement and sustainability consulting, helping clients reduce their carbon footprint and achieve long-term sustainability objectives. Since its founding in 2015, Westbridge has become a trusted partner to over 600 institutional real estate clients, delivering double-digit revenue growth driven by the increasing demand for green energy solutions and ESG compliance in the property sector.

The investment by Permira Funds is poised to drive Westbridge’s next phase of growth, focusing on international expansion and scaling its services in a dynamically evolving market. Westbridge’s offerings include energy procurement advisory, green building certifications, ESG data management, and broader sustainability consulting.

“We are excited to begin this new chapter with Permira,” said Yama Mahasher, CEO of Westbridge. “Together, we aim to further internationalize our business and invest in future growth. We deeply appreciate GENUI’s support since 2021, which has been instrumental in scaling our impact. With Permira as our new partner, we are well-positioned to advance the energy transition in real estate.”

Florian Kreuzer, Head of DACH at Permira, highlighted the strategic alignment of the investment: “We are thrilled to partner with Westbridge’s founders and support their vision of creating a European leader in energy and sustainability advisory for real estate. This transaction reflects our commitment to investing in high-growth, climate-focused opportunities in the DACH region and beyond.”

David Brückmann, Managing Director in Permira’s Services Sector, added: “The sustainability trend in real estate offers immense growth potential for expert advisory firms like Westbridge. Leveraging Permira’s expertise in tech-enabled services and our international network, we look forward to helping Westbridge expand into new markets.”

GENUI, which supported Westbridge’s growth since 2021, exits the investment after overseeing a period of exceptional expansion. Under GENUI’s ownership, Westbridge achieved a sevenfold increase in sales and completed several strategic acquisitions.

“It has been a privilege to support Westbridge’s growth and environmental impact,” said Max Odefey of GENUI. “The company has evolved into a significant market leader, and we wish the team and Permira every success in continuing this growth journey.”

The acquisition underscores Westbridge’s pivotal role in reducing the real estate sector’s carbon footprint while aligning with Permira’s climate investment strategy. As the need for sustainability in real estate accelerates, Westbridge, backed by Permira, is well-equipped to drive innovation and lead the transition toward a more sustainable future.

Photo: Florian Kreuzer, Managing Director, Head of DACH, Permira and David Brueckmann, Managing Director, Permira