CC Capital & Motive Partners to acquire Wilshire Associates

Submitted 05/10/2020 - 9:41am

CC Capital, a private investment firm focused on investing in and operating high-quality businesses for the long term, and Motive Partners (Motive), a specialist private equity firm focused on growth and buyout investments in technology-enabled financial services companies, are to acquire Wilshire Associates (Wilshire), an investment technology and advisory company.

Since its founding by Dennis Tito in 1972, Wilshire has grown from an investment technology firm into a global advisory company specialising in investment products, consulting services, and technology solutions. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the Company serves a deep blue-chip client base of asset owners, including corporate and public pension plans, in addition to many of the world's largest financial institutions and intermediaries. In 1974, the Company established the Wilshire 5000 index, which continues to be one of the most widely accepted definitive benchmarks for the broad US stock market. Wilshire also established the Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service in 1976, which today remains the world’s largest peer-universe service for actively managed US institutional plan assets, representing ~USD3.6 trillion in AUM.

“The foundations Wilshire has built over the last five decades provide a highly-compelling opportunity from which to accelerate growth for its clients and the firm,” says Chinh Chu, Senior Managing Director of CC Capital. Rob Heyvaert, Managing Partner of Motive Partners commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with CC Capital again, combining our teams’ deep knowledge of the sector to execute our transformation plan, benefitting Wilshire’s exceptional client base and future clients.”

The asset management industry is exhibiting consistent growth and a rapid technological evolution, presenting opportunities for both incumbent and disruptive providers across the value chain. CC Capital and Motive believes that as a renowned brand specialising in investment products, consulting services, and technology solutions for nearly 50 years, Wilshire Associates and its clients are well positioned to benefit from this collaborative partnership. The capital, expertise and network provided by CC Capital and Motive will support Wilshire’s focus on innovation and enhancing capabilities within its current offerings while maintaining a client-centric operating model.

CC Capital and Motive share a common goal of creating long-term value in financial technology companies, most recently partnering on Dun & Bradstreet along with other financial investors. With Wilshire’s strong brand and product capabilities, they expect to capitalise on the Company’s significant potential to further transform and benefit its clients through enhanced technology, data and analytics capabilities, new investment solutions and offerings, and expanded partnerships and geographic presence. Going forward following the closing of the transaction, Wilshire clients can expect easier and more frequent access to the full breadth of the Company’s capabilities, including additional expertise through Wilshire’s various offerings, and will benefit from new solutions developed to meet shifting and expanding responsibilities required by those they serve. CC Capital and Motive will seek to leverage their combined resources and experience to drive enhanced technology, data and analytics capabilities to ensure deeper insights and enhanced service.

“With a storied 50-year track record of innovation and success, today’s announcement positions Wilshire for an exciting future and provides us with the ability to continue delivering client-focused solutions and services that are both forward-looking and utilise the full depth of expertise we have to offer,” says Jason Schwarz, Chief Operating Officer of Wilshire Associates. “The collective expertise and industry leadership at CC Capital and Motive will support our focus on innovation and enhancing capabilities within our current offerings, while maintaining a client-centric operating model and further building upon Wilshire’s legacy of success across our practice areas to open up new opportunities for our clients.”

Upon closing of the transaction, Dennis Tito will step down from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and John Hindman will also step down from his roles as President and Vice Chairman, with Jason Schwarz continuing to lead the investment and portfolio analytics activities as President and Chief Operating Officer. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including required approvals, is expected to close by the end of 2020.

Tags Deals & Transactions Acquisitions