Guardian Life Acquires Strategic Minority Stake In HPS Investment Partners

New York, NY, February 9, 2022 – Guardian Life announced it has acquired a minority equity stake in HPS Investment Partners. HPS is a leading global investment firm that currently manages approximately $80 billion in assets.

Partnering with HPS expands the capabilities of Guardian’s in-house investment platform and offers the opportunity to co-develop bespoke investment strategies suitable for the insurance market. This transaction will significantly strengthen Guardian’s financial profile, further grow and diversify its investment portfolio, and position the company for continued long-term growth.

“This partnership marks an important step in Guardian’s evolution and is an example of how we are continuing to drive our strategy forward, advance our market position, and create value for all our stakeholders,” said Guardian CEO, Andrew McMahon.

As part of the transaction, Guardian and HPS have entered a strategic partnership that will enable close collaboration and allow the two companies to share best practices and investment insights. Guardian will also provide HPS with a strategically important amount of capital to invest and manage across a range of private-credit strategies.

Scott Kapnick, Chief Executive Officer of HPS Investment Partners, added, "We are thrilled to have Guardian as a partner and investor in our firm and expand the depth and breadth of the investment solutions we provide to Guardian and its policyholders. Guardian’s focus on providing its customers with best-in-class insurance, investment and wealth management products to help achieve their long-term financial goals is well aligned with our longstanding focus on serving insurance clients and their stakeholders. We are also grateful to Dyal Capital Partners for their steadfast partnership and support in welcoming Guardian to the investor group.”

Mr. McMahon continued, “HPS has established itself as an investment solutions provider of choice for the world’s largest and most sophisticated insurers, with an impressive history of innovation in private credit as well as a strong performance track record. We are confident that many opportunities for collaboration exist between our companies.”

Lazard and Berkshire Global Advisors served as financial advisors to Guardian on the transaction. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors to HPS.