Ripplewood Advisors LLC

Overview

Ripplewood Advisors LLC is a private equity firm specializing in acquisitions, buyouts, management buy-ins, recapitalizations, and turnarounds. The firm typically invests in consumer products, education, financial services, medical services, electronic equipment and components, food manufacturing, chemicals, technology, industrial equipment, publishing, advertising, automotive, media, and general retail companies. It primarily invests in companies based in Japan, Europe, and the United States. The firm was founded in 1995 and is based in New York, New York, with an additional office in Tokyo, Japan. As of January 2, 2014, Ripplewood Advisors LLC was known as Kleinwort Benson Advisors LLC. The firm's main interests range from telecommunications to banking to entertainment. Ripplewood Advisors LLC manages more than $10 billion in capital. The company's founder and CEO is Tim Collins, with managing partners including Lawrence Lavine, Harris Williams, and Michael C. Duran. Ripplewood Advisors LLC has been involved in significant transactions, such as the acquisition of Reader's Digest Association, where Mary Berner was appointed President and CEO. The firm has also been active in the financial services sector, including its involvement in the acquisition of a 75% stake in Citadele Bank in Latvia in 2015. Additionally, Ripplewood Advisors LLC was the sponsor entity for RA Special Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange as of April 28, 2022, with the aim of effecting a business combination in the financial services industry in or around Europe.