WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 03, 2025-- 
 
   Comvest Partners ("Comvest"), a leading private investment firm, today 
announced the completion of a previously announced strategic partnership 
involving the sale of a 75%(1) interest in Comvest Credit Partners,(2) 
its direct lending investment platform, to Manulife Financial 
Corporation (TSX: MFC), through its more than US$900 billion Global 
Wealth and Asset Management ("Global WAM") segment. Comvest Private 
Equity, Comvest's private equity platform, is not part of this 
transaction, will remain independent, and will be rebranded in the 
coming months. 
 
 
   The new private credit platform, Manulife | Comvest Credit Partners, 
will unite Comvest's deep expertise in U.S. middle-market direct lending 
with Manulife Investment Management's extensive private equity sponsor 
network, deal sourcing capabilities, and global distribution network. 
The combined platform will enhance origination strength, broaden access 
to potential third-party capital, and deliver differentiated credit 
solutions to founder-owned and sponsor-backed businesses. It will be led 
by Robert O'Sullivan, Global Head of Private Credit, previously the 
Co-Founder and CEO of Comvest Credit Partners. For more information, 
please visit www.comvest.com. 
 
 
   "We are honored to join the Manulife organization and look forward to 
the significant opportunities this strategic partnership will create in 
expanding and strengthening our private credit capabilities. Together, 
we are positioned to broaden our reach, enhance our investment platform, 
and deliver differentiated opportunities for our investors," said Mr. 
O'Sullivan. "This partnership further affirms Comvest's established 
leadership in the private credit market, positioning Manulife | Comvest 
Credit Partners for continued growth and enabling us to better serve the 
evolving needs of borrowers and investors alike. Our unwavering focus 
remains on seeking to deliver strong, risk-adjusted returns across all 
market cycles." 
 
 
   "Armed with long established middle market private equity resources and 
experience, we set out nearly 20 years ago to build a best-in-class 
middle market direct lending platform. I am especially grateful to our 
credit leadership team and to our investors for their consistent 
support. I am thrilled about the strategic positioning and outlook that 
the combined Manulife | Comvest Credit Partners platform will bring to 
our investors, borrowers and broader private credit organization. With 
Manulife's existing credit capabilities, I am truly confident that we 
have found an ideal partner as Comvest continues to invest in 
differentiated credit opportunities for our investors," said Michael 
Falk, Founder and Executive Chairman of Comvest. 
 
 
   Mr. Falk continued: "Our private equity and private credit businesses 
have always operated independently and I'm additionally excited about 
the investment performance and outlook of our private equity business as 
an independent entity." 
 
 
   Mr. Falk will remain in involved in both companies. He will serve as 
Senior Advisor and Investment Committee member of Manulife | Comvest 
Credit Partners and Executive Chairman of Comvest Private Equity. 
 
 
   The Comvest Private Equity team will continue to be led by Managing 
Partner Maneesh Chawla with no changes to its investment team, resources 
or strategy -- control investments in middle-market companies, 
partnering with founders and management teams to drive sustainable 
growth through capital, strategic guidance, and operational support. 
 
 
(1) Comvest employees will retain a 25% interest in Comvest, providing 
meaningful alignment; path to full ownership 6 years post closing. 
(2) Prior to the transaction, Comvest Credit Partners was a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of private credit and private equity investment manager Comvest 
Partners. Comvest Partners' private equity strategy, Comvest Investment 
Partners, was not included in the transaction. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030951460/en/

 
 
    CONTACT:    Michael Altschuler 
 
   Partner, Comvest Partners 
 
 
   m.altschuler@comvest.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 03, 2025 09:51 ET (14:51 GMT)