HIG Capital Expands Media Portfolio with Kantar Acquisition, Adds Morgan Stanley Secondaries Team
HIG Capital has completed its acquisition of Kantar Media from the Kantar Group for an undisclosed sum, adding the London-based media measurement giant to its growing portfolio of data and analytics companies. The deal marks one of the Miami-based firm's major transactions in 2025.
Kantar Media operates in over 60 markets worldwide, providing audience measurement, cross-media analytics, and media validation tools to brands, agencies, and media companies. The company serves as a foundational player in global advertising decision-making through its proprietary measurement capabilities and AI-powered analytics platform.
"With the transaction now complete, we are delighted to officially be part of the H.I.G. family," said Patrick Béhar, CEO of Kantar Media. "This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one where we will sharpen our strategic focus, reinforce our position as a fiercely independent authority in media measurement, and accelerate innovation."
HIG Capital Builds Secondaries Capabilities
Separately, HIG Capital has hired four senior executives from Morgan Stanley's private equity secondaries unit ahead of launching its first dedicated GP-led secondaries fund in early 2026, according to industry sources.
The new team includes Dan Wieder, Yash Gupta, Austin Gerber, and Joe Holleran, who collectively bring nearly five decades of secondaries investing experience. Wieder and Gupta held Managing Director and Partner roles respectively at Morgan Stanley, while Gerber and Holleran served as Executive Directors.
The hires position HIG Capital alongside mid- and large-cap players like Warburg Pincus and Leonard Green & Partners that are expanding into secondaries amid constrained traditional exit markets. GP-led exits rose 19% in the first half of 2025, according to Jefferies, as sponsors seek alternative liquidity paths.
Technology and Media Focus Continues
The Kantar acquisition builds on HIG Capital's recent technology investments, including the merger of Converge Technology Solutions and Mainline Information Systems to form Pellera Technologies in April. The combined company generated approximately $4 billion in revenue in 2024 and provides IT solutions with expertise in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
HIG Capital also acquired Quisitive Technology Solutions, a Microsoft Cloud and AI solutions provider, and completed an investment in GetixHealth, a healthcare revenue cycle management company, earlier this year.
Nishant Nayyar, Managing Director at HIG Capital, noted that Kantar Media provides "mission-critical data and AI-powered analytics that drive decision-making for clients" with "proprietary measurement capabilities" that position the company for growth as an independent organization.
The firm, which manages $70 billion in capital across 19 global offices, has invested in more than 400 companies since its 1993 founding. Its current portfolio includes over 100 companies with combined sales exceeding $53 billion.
HIG Capital's expansion into secondaries reflects broader industry trends as private equity firms seek new revenue streams and liquidity solutions for portfolio companies. The upcoming fund will target continuation vehicles and other GP-led transactions across North America and Europe.
