BNP Paribas Investment Partners and Orion Partners Announce Strategic Partnership in Asia Alternative Investments

7 January 2016 – BNP Paribas Investment Partners (“BNPP IP”), the asset management arm of BNP Paribas, and Orion Partners LP (“Orion Partners”), today announced a strategic partnership that brings together a leading Asia-focused alternative investment firm specialising in real estate and private equity, and a global key player in asset management.

Under the terms of the transaction, BNPP IP – through its alternative and incubation specialist BNP Paribas Capital Partners (“BNPP CP”) – will acquire a minority stake in a new partnership based in Hong Kong. Orion Partners will continue to operate under its existing leadership and remain independent in all its businesses and investment decisions.

Going forward, BNPP CP and Orion Partners plan to develop and launch new funds to meet growing client demand for Asia-focused alternative investment funds. BNPP IP and Orion Partners believe there is tremendous opportunity to provide these various alternative investment products to retail and institutional investors throughout the world using BNPP IP’s highly-regarded platform and global distribution capabilities and Orion Partners’ local specialist expertise.

Gilles Guerin, CEO of BNPP CP, commented: “The partnership with Orion Partners provides us with an excellent opportunity to broaden our exposure to fast growing alternative investment opportunities in Asia, managed by a leading Asian-based and Asian-focused firm. Having worked closely together for more than 10 years to develop and distribute some of their products to institutional investors across the globe, we value their expertise and excellence in the creation and protection of value for their clients.”

“Orion Partners has had a strong long-standing relationship with BNPP IP and it is the perfect partner to enhance our specialist alternative investment business through product innovation and access to premier international distribution channels,” said TK Chiang, Managing Partner and co-founder of Orion Partners.

Berkshire Capital Securities LLC served as advisor to Orion Partners in this transaction.

About BNP Paribas Investment Partners

BNP Paribas Investment Partners is the BNP Paribas Group’s asset management specialist and an entity of the International Financial Services division of BNP Paribas. BNP Paribas Investment Partners offers the full range of asset management services to both institutional and private investors around the world. The company adopts a client-focused approach and is structured around three business lines: Institutional, Distributors and Asia-Pacific & Emerging Markets. BNP Paribas Investment Partners has 3,000 employees in 35 countries, including around 700 investment professionals, each specialised in a particular asset class or product type, and has assets under management totaling EUR 509 billion1.

1Source: BNP Paribas Investment Partners, as at 30 September 2015, assets under management and advisory.

About BNP Paribas Capital Partners

BNP Paribas Capital Partners (“BNPP CP”) is the alternative investments selection and management specialist of BNP Paribas Investment Partners. Capabilities of BNPP CP include selection, management, administration and incubation of absolute return and private equity managers for institutional clients, corporates, private banks and high-net-worth individuals. BNPP CP has EUR 5 billion of assets under management, advisory and administration, as at 30 September 2015.

About Orion Partners

Orion Partners is an Asia-based, Asia-focused, independent alternative investment firm with over USD 1 billion in assets under management, as at 30 September 2015. Orion Partners was founded in 2000 and is one of Asia’s first multi-strategy investment firms with offices across the region. The firm’s highly experienced investment professionals manage real estate and private equity, and are developing infrastructure credit and hedge funds businesses – supported by a high quality client service, operations and administration team. Orion Partners’ client base includes leading institutional investors from across the globe, including pension funds, funds of funds, family offices and high net worth individuals. For more information on the firm, please visit www.orionpartners.com.