About the transaction

Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) announces the successful 112.5 million euro financing of The Independents, a global marketing and communications group for luxury and lifestyle industry leaders.
BIL Corporate Finance was mandated as lead arranger, agent and acted as lender with LCL, Société Générale, La Banque Postale and CIC Private Debt.
This financing provided by the lenders allows The Independents Group to enter a new stage of its development project. The group is thus acquiring significant investment resources to refinance existing debt, to finance the US-based creative experiential agency Prodject, and extra funding to support future external growth.

Quote The Independents

Pascaline Corre (CFO The Independents) says: “We are happy to have concluded this financing with BIL Corporate Finance as mandated lead arranger. The execution of the financing in these volatile times proves the trustful collaboration we had with BIL and all lenders: Société Générale, LCL, La Banque Postale & CIC Private Debt. The Independents Group is now changing its dimension thanks to a new financing package enabling it to accelerate its international development.“

Quote BIL Corporate Finance

Frederic Cassani, Kay Backes and Natalia Penedo Perreira (BIL Corporate Finance) say: "In a global marketing and communications sector in full consolidation, we are very proud to have been able to support the Independents Group in its ambitions to grow and develop internationaly. It was a pleasure to advise a talented management team and to carry out this syndicated financing with LCL, Société Générale, La Banque Postale and CIC Private Debt.”

Quote BIL Corporate Finance

Formed through the combination of Bureau Betak, Bureau Future, Karla Otto, K2, Lefty, Prodject and The Qode, The Independents Group is the worldwide leading ecosystem of creative communication agencies servicing the top-tier of fashion, luxury, beauty and lifestyle clients. All the agencies of The Independents share the same values: a drive for excellence and innovation, a customer-centric view, and a spirit of community rooted in thoughtful collaboration.
With a native presence in thirteen cities on all key luxury markets of tomorrow (Paris, London, Milan, Munich, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Dubai, Riyadh), the Group infuses brands’ vision into the hearts and minds of consumers through curated influence and compelling experiences, affording their clients the expertise of specialist agencies with the scale and infrastructure of a group.

About BIL Corporate Finance

BIL Corporate Finance provides a unique offer combining lending and financial advisory services, to entrepreneurs and corporates in support of their strategic transactions.
Its pan-european team of Corporate Finance experts delivers tailor-made solutions across the capital structure (senior-junior debt, quasi-equity, equity). They bring a wealth of experience in various projects, sectors and geographies, covering the Benelux, Switzerland, France, Germany and Greater China.