CPE Capital
CPE Capital (formerly CHAMP Private Equity) is Australasia’s most experienced private capital manager, investing across the mid-market in Australia and New Zealand. The firm works as a close partner with owners and senior management teams to execute growth strategies, drive operational improvement, and unlock long-term value. Founded in 1987 by Bill Ferris AC and Joe Skrzynski AO, CPE has deployed over A$4.5 billion and completed 86 platform investments since inception.
CPE Capital has broad sector experience, with particular expertise in education, healthcare, food & beverage, logistics, financial services, and niche manufacturing. It often targets firms with export potential or offshore operations.
CPE Capital Fund 8 is a 2016 vintage fund with $735 million in investor commitments, raised to pursue control investments in established, market-leading mid-market businesses across Australia and New Zealand.
Portfolio Companies
At investment in 2016, Pepperstone was a high-growth online trading platform specialising in foreign exchange, commodities, and CFD products, with over 26,000 active clients and monthly FX turnover exceeding $100 billion.
The thesis was to partner with the founders to accelerate international expansion, strengthen brand presence and broaden product offerings through proprietary low-latency technology and strategic partnerships.
CPE Capital sold Pepperstone in 2018 back to the founders and management team, having expanded globally from offices in Melbourne, Shanghai, and Dallas, positioned as one of the world’s leading FX brokers.
At investment in 2016, Containerchain was a B2B web-based software provider addressing inefficiencies in Australia’s empty container logistics sector, with operations expanding into Singapore and Malaysia.
The thesis was to support the founder to scale an integrated logistics technology platform across landside, dockside and waterside operations, expand globally and consolidate industry adoption.
Containerchain was sold in 2019 to WiseTech Global, at which point it was the leading container logistics software provider across Australasia and Southeast Asia.
At investment in 2016, Dutton was Australia’s largest wholesaler of prestige used vehicles, trading nearly 12,000 vehicles annually through a network of over 40 franchises and through its flagship Dutton Garage showroom.
The thesis was to back management to expand nationally, upgrade technology, and strengthen brand and customer experience in the prestige automotive segment.
CPE Capital sold Dutton Group to Sojitz Corporation for a reported $250 million, at which point the business had cemented its position as Australia’s leading prestige used car wholesaler.
At investment in 2016, StraitNZ was a group of New Zealand logistics businesses including the Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry service, Freight Lines, and Streamline Freight, with long-standing family ownership.
The thesis was to transition the businesses into an integrated logistics platform under a unified brand, implement new group management, extend port access agreements, and reset the cost base.
StraitNZ was sold 2022 to Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners for a media reported NZ$472 million, at which point the group was one of New Zealand’s largest integrated freight and passenger transport operators.
At investment in 2017, Jaybro was a leading supplier of civil and infrastructure consumables in Australia and New Zealand, specialising in direct-to-site delivery for mid to large contractors.
The thesis was to scale rapidly through organic growth and bolt-on acquisitions, deepen penetration across consumables and broaden distribution infrastructure.
Jaybro was sold in 2022 to Quadrant Private Equity for a media reported A$650 million, at which point the business served 40,000 customers, had grown headcount from 170 to 310, and increased EBITDA by 350%.
At investment in 2017, Panthera was Australia’s largest privately owned receivables management company, acquiring debt ledgers from banks and utilities.
The thesis was to capitalise on structural growth in receivables outsourcing, strengthen governance and invest in compliance and technology to enhance collections.
CPE Capital exited Panthera finance in 2022, where it was positioned as the market leader in Australian receivables management.
At investment in 2018, Gourmet Food Holdings was a premium food business manufacturing crackers under the Olina’s and OB Finest brands and chilled packaged seafood, with distribution across Australia and New Zealand.
The thesis was to back management to scale branded specialty foods, expand distribution and support new product development in premium snacking.
CPE Capital sold Gourmet Food Holdings in 2021 to Mondelez International. At the time, Gourmet Food Holdings had an established presence in retail and export markets as a premium FMCG company.
At investment in 2018, ASDAM was a Melbourne-based advanced engineering company supplying defence, aerospace, automotive, and rail sectors, including being a key supplier to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
The thesis was to support growth through scale-up in defence contracts, expand international partnerships with Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems and invest in innovation and advanced manufacturing capacity.
ASDAM remains a CPE Capital portfolio company, positioned as a global leader in high-performance engineering solutions.
At investment in 2018, Cell Care was Australia’s largest private cord blood and tissue banking company, storing over 60,000 samples across Australia and New Zealand.
The thesis was to consolidate the fragmented stem cell storage market, expand internationally, and invest in research partnerships to capture growth in regenerative medicine.
CPE Capital completed the sale of Cell Care in 2021 for a media reported value of $200 million to Generate Life Sciences, at which point it was a global leader in newborn stem cell banking and reproductive health services.
At investment in 2018, Banksmeadow was a strategically located Sydney recycling and waste transfer facility, servicing the construction and demolition industry.
The thesis was to expand capacity and efficiency to meet regulatory and environmental demand for sustainable waste solutions, leveraging proximity to major infrastructure projects.
Banksmeadow remains a CPE Capital portfolio company, operating as a critical waste and recycling hub in Greater Sydney.
