Fiera Capital Expands Presence in Asia with Acquisition of Clearwater Capital Partners

Transaction Complements Existing Suite of Private Alternative Investment Strategies

Montreal and Hong Kong – March 1, 2018 – Fiera Capital Corporation (“Fiera Capital” or the “Firm”) (TSX: FSZ), announced today that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Clearwater Capital Partners, LLC (“Clearwater”), a leading Asia focused credit and special situations investment firm. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Clearwater is a privately held employee-owned asset manager with US$1.4 billion in assets under management. Clearwater’s assets will be added to Fiera Capital’s Private Alternative Investments division, complementing the Firm’s existing suite of private alternative investment strategies and adding extensive investment experience and depth through offices and teams across the Asia-Pacific region. 

“The transaction establishes Fiera Capital’s Asia-Pacific footprint and provides a rare opportunity to gain entry to the Asian private credit market,” said Vincent Duhamel, Global President and Chief Operating Officer of Fiera Capital. “Combining Clearwater’s deep investment experience in Asia with Fiera Capital’s global distribution capabilities enhances our ability to meet the growing demand from clients for a full spectrum of investments in credit and special situations.”

John Valentini, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Financial Officer and President, Private Alternative Investments division of Fiera Capital, added, “As a leading firm in credit and special situations, Clearwater comes to Fiera Capital with a strong, culturally aligned senior leadership team that will add to the bench strength of our existing Private Alternative Investments division and provide an established platform to boost the growth and distribution of an enhanced suite of private markets strategies to clients. With a 16-year track record of solid performance, the Clearwater team has an established presence in the Asia credit space, an industry which today represents US$50 trillion in investment opportunities.” 

Clearwater operates in five offices across Asia-Pacific and the United States (Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Mumbai and Connecticut) and specializes in three core private credit investment strategies: direct lending, stressed credit and distressed and special situations. From its founding in 2001, Clearwater has invested US$5.1 billion over 352 positions and exited US$5.8 billion across 315 fully realized deals since inception (December 31, 2017E). Robert Petty and Amit Gupta will continue to lead Clearwater as Co-CEOs and Co-CIOs.