Private Equity Firm Equistone Sniffs Sale of UK ISP XLN Telecom

Private equity firm Equistone has reportedly expressed an interest in acquiring a controlling stake in business broadband ISP XLN Telecom, which is said to be valued at around £200m and has attracted interest from several other parties since unofficially hoisting the ‘for sale’ sign earlier this year.

At present XLN is home to around 500 staff and 150,000 customers across various different products. The business reported pre-tax earnings of £13.9m last year (up 2%) and their sales grew by 7% to £62m. The reason for all this talk of a sale is because Christian Nellemann, who holds a controlling stake in the ISP following a management buyout in 2014, has been looking to either sell or, failing that, refinance the business.

According to The Telegraph, private equity firm Equistone (they’ve already invested in Gaucho, Interflora etc.) is now one of a handful of interested parties. Bankers at Lazard are believed to be managing the sale process, although it remains to be seen whether a concrete sale can actually be agreed.