Advent International

Office address: Prudential Tower 800 Boylston St Boston, MA 02199 
Website: www.adventinternational.com 
Year established: 1984 
Company type: private equity firm 
Employees: 600+ 
Expertise: international buyouts, growth and strategic restructuring, health, technology, business and financial services, healthcare, industrial, retail, consumer and leisure, global private equity 
Parent company: N/A 
Key people: David Mussafer (chair); James Brocklebank, Chris Egan, and Tricia Glynn (managing partners); Heather Miner (COO); John Shea (CTO); Susan Gentile (CFO) 
Financing status: N/A 

Advent International, based in Boston, is one of the largest private equity firms with $94 billion in assets and investments across 43 countries. With over 600 employees in 15 offices, Advent specializes in sectors like technology, healthcare, industrial services, and more. The firm has invested $80 billion in 420 companies, focusing on revenue growth through management partnerships worldwide. 

History of Advent International 

Advent International was founded in 1984 by Peter Brooke as a spin-off from TA Associates. They raised their first fund of $14 million, backed by Nabisco, and soon launched a $225 million international fund, marking its early expansion into PE. In 1989, Advent ventured into Europe with a $231 million European Special Situations Fund, establishing its first London office.  

In the 1990s, the firm expanded into Frankfurt, Milan, and merged with UK-based Trinity Capital Partners. By 1997, the company had surpassed the billion-dollar mark with a $1.2 billion fund and set up Latin American offices in São Paolo, Bogotá, and Mexico City. Recent milestones include a €6.6 billion fund in 2008, acquiring Zentiva, a £4 billion Cobham Plc buyout in 2019, and Maxar Technologies in 2021. 

Products and Services of Advent International 

Advent International offers several investment and advisory services across many industries. Their core offerings include: 

• global private equity (GPE): focused on growth investments in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, targeting diverse sectors 
• Latin American private equity fund (LAPEF): emphasizes high-growth opportunities in Latin America, especially within consumer and industrial segments 
• Advent Tech: technology-focused fund supporting areas like cybersecurity, healthcare data, and digital infrastructure 
• sector-specific expertise: investment specialization in technology, retail, consumer and leisure, industrial, healthcare, and business & financial services 
• Advent Global Opportunities (AGO): portfolio focused on high-conviction investments in public and select private companies worldwide 
• operational improvement programs: dedicated to enhancing productivity, particularly in sectors like healthcare and industrial manufacturing 

Advent International leverages global reach and sector expertise to help businesses expand markets, access international finance, and adopt sustainable growth practices. 

Culture at Advent International 

Advent International promotes a respectful, inclusive culture built on trust and open dialogue. Employees are encouraged to voice diverse opinions, creating an environment that values collective decision-making and mutual respect. Advent prioritizes a supportive workplace with benefits aimed at staff well-being, including: 

• health benefits: comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with no-copay PPO options 
• family support: extended parental leave and family-centered benefits across diverse family structures 
• professional growth: mentorship, learning opportunities, and equitable promotion policies 
• work flexibility: flexible working hours and location options to support work-life balance 
• wellness perks: catered meals, free snacks, and stress-reducing resources to promote a healthy workplace 

The firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) involves building teams that enhance decision-making and reflect an inclusive work environment. They prioritize equal opportunities and actively work to include diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences across all roles. Their DEI strategy emphasizes supportive programs and continuous development initiatives, structured around three pillars: 

• recruit: fosters a diverse workforce to enhance investment decisions, focusing on bringing varied perspectives and connections across portfolio companies, investors, and advisors 
• support: comprehensive benefits address career-stage needs, ensuring employees feel secure and fulfilled throughout their time with the firm 
• develop: leadership growth initiatives promote awareness, reduce unconscious biases, and support underrepresented groups in accessing advancement opportunities 

Advent International has maintained a strong commitment to responsible investment since its founding, aligning its approach to drive long-term growth and positive impact. They prioritize sustainable growth and effective management of ESG risks to enhance both reputation and performance. This focus on responsible practices supports employees, clients, and communities alike, creating resilient, value-driven companies across their portfolio: 

• environmental initiatives: partners with portfolio companies to meet climate goals and transition to a low-carbon economy 
• social impact: supports local communities by fostering responsible partnerships and strengthens recruitment and retention through positive workplace relations 
• governance: upholds high ethical and legal standards across all operations 

Advent International fosters a culture of community engagement, encouraging employees to support nonprofit organizations and charitable initiatives globally. The firm actively contributes to societal well-being through both firmwide and individual efforts, particularly in healthcare and education. Additionally, Advent’s network aids humanitarian causes, including efforts to support Ukraine amid ongoing crises. 

About Advent International Chair David Mussafer and Key People 

David Mussafer serves as the chair and managing partner of the organization and is a lead director at Lululemon. Before joining Advent, he gained extensive experience in buyouts at Chemical Bank and Adler & Shaykin. Mussafer holds an MBA from the Wharton School and a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University. 

Advent International’s leadership team brings diverse expertise, guiding the firm’s strategic direction and growth across key sectors: 

• James Brocklebank, managing partner, leads investments within the financial and business services sectors, shaping portfolio strategy 
• Chris Egan, managing partner, oversees growth equity and buyout investments with a focus on business services 
• Tricia Glynn, managing partner, directs retail and consumer investments, bringing experience in leisure and lifestyle sectors 
• Heather Kennedy Miner, COO and managing director, manages operational strategy and organizational development initiatives 
• John Shea, chief technology officer, drives technology innovation and digital infrastructure across the firm 
• Susan Gentile, CFO and managing director, heads financial operations and risk management for Advent International 

The Future at Advent International 

In a recent strategic move, they made a minority investment in Fisher Investments, a deal expected to contribute significantly to Advent’s growth in wealth management. The partnership aligns Fisher’s family-controlled structure with Advent International’s strategic support, enhancing both firms' capabilities in independent growth. This collaboration will enable Fisher Investments to remain independent while benefiting from Advent’s expertise. 

Additionally, Advent’s recent acquisition of Volue aims to accelerate advancements in energy and infrastructure software. The firm’s combined technology and sustainability expertise with partners is expected to drive market potential in energy transition. Advent International’s mission reflects a commitment to building resilient, growth-oriented businesses through responsible investing and strategic partnerships.