ANNUAL REPORT 2007 | 2008 - Gimv

Luc van Gompel - CEO ANP
GIMV INVESTS IN PRESS AGENCY’S
INDEPENDENT PATH
VENTURE CAPITAL ALLOWS ANP TO GROW
ANP, the Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau, has recently become
an autonomous enterprise, which is growing rapidly with
corporate services. Luc van Gompel, ANP’s CEO since April
2007, explains how ANP has become a successful marketoriented
company.
Why did ANP opt for Gimv as an investor?
“Historically the Dutch newspapers have been ANP’s largest
shareholders. In this way a large group of customers held most
of the company, making external fi nancing a delicate operation
calling for a respectful approach.
Gimv, better known in the Netherlands under the name of its
Halder subsidiary, took a fi rst shareholding in the press agency
in 2004. In 2007 it increased its interest by taking over the
shares still held by the newspapers. It had carefully examined
our case with an investment team that reacted very alertly.
Gimv’s partner shareholder is NPM Capital, with an equal sized
shareholding. Management too holds a small amount. With the
2007 buy-out ANP became totally independent.”
30 | Gimv Annual Report 2007-2008 | Operating and fi nancial report
What has been the greatest added value in the
cooperation with Gimv?
“The fi nancing has allowed us to distance ourselves from our
founder newspapers. Gimv expertly accompanied this transition
period. The contact is a close one, with monthly fi nancial
consultation, and we obtain good coaching.”
Does Gimv’s international network offer you added
value?
“The press agency market is a somewhat unusual one as each
country has its own press agency, which does not mean that
we do not have international aspirations. We very much hope
that Gimv will play a role in this. We are already cooperating
well, for example, with Belgian press agency Belga. The growth
strategy we are following has been made possible in part by
Gimv’s capital contribution.”
Where does ANP see growth opportunities in the
market?
“ANP continues to fulfi l its press agency role with the media
as major customers, representing a good one third of sales.
The other two thirds come from the business-to-business market.
Delivery of photographic images plays a large part in this.
Creating newsfeeds for major companies is another signifi cant
area. ANP delivers newsfeeds, for example, to all Shell offi ces,
which is a major advantage for each company wanting to know
whenever it is mentioned in the press and to be informed of
reporting on specifi c subjects. Online media are the ideal channel
for this.”