Danish group of investors ready to ensure the continued development of BC Hospitality Group

At the upcoming Annual General Meeting on June 15, the board of directors and a majority of the current owners will recommend a directed share issue of BC Hospitality Group to a new danish group of owners led by former Senior Partner and Global Leader of Travel, Transport & Logistics Sector in McKinsey & Co., Christian Riis-Hansen, former EQT partner and long-time investor, Peter Korsholm, as well as former COO of ISS with international experience from the service and hospitality sector, Martin Gaarn Thomsen.

The share issue will be undertaken with support from Danish public growth fund, Vækstfonden and the group’s bank, Nordea.

Danish syndicate looks forward to the continued development of BC Hospitality Group

“BC Hospitality Group, with its congress & exhibition center Bella Center Copenhagen and hotels, is crucial for Copenhagen to continue attracting larger congresses and events as well as tourists creating economic activity and jobs. We have gathered a team of investors with relevant expertise from the hospitality sector, and we all see an opportunity for BCHG to move out of the corona crisis stronger than ever,” says Christian Riis-Hansen on behalf of the syndicate.

“We are improving the group’s cash position, so that we have a solid and healthy financial launch pad for the continued positive development of BC Hospitality Group after corona. We believe that there is a strong team leading the company, and we see a big unresolved potential in the core business as well as in the potential for future expansion,” says Christian Riis-Hansen.

It has been pivotal for the agreement that the day-to-day operation of Bella Center Copenhagen as well as the hotels will continue as planned. The change of ownership will not affect customers, suppliers, or planned events. The current interim CEO, Christian Folden-Lund, will continue as permanent CEO of BC Hospitality Group.

Chairman: The future development of the group has been secured

“We feel a big responsibility to our employees and all of our customers, who have postponed events with us or booked hotel visit and conferences in the months ahead. We are happy that it was possible to find a new Danish group of owners, who can continue the development of BCHG,” says the current chairman of the board, David Overby.

The agreement is to be finally approved at the Annual General Meeting, June 15.

Facts:

• If the agreement is passed as expected on June 15, the syndicate comprised of Christian Riis-Hansen, Peter Korsholm and Martin Gaarn Thomsen among others will own 50.1 percent of the shares after the capital injection and the Danish Growth Fund (Vækstfonden) and Nordea will own the remaining shares.
• As part of the deal, a capital injection in the triple-digit million range (DKK) will be made as well as a write down of the group’s debt in the triple-digit million range (DKK).