CNMC approves Waterland’s entry into Auren’s share capital

The Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) has approved the entry of European private equity fund Waterland into the share capital of Auren, a leading multidisciplinary professional services firm in Spain. This marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time a private equity fund joins the ownership of a multidisciplinary professional services firm in the country.

The strategic alliance between both will allow the firm to accelerate its growth, strengthen its international presence, drive technological investment, enhance brand positioning, and pursue strategic acquisitions. Despite this new partnership, Auren will maintain its independence and professional partnership model, with its partners retaining majority ownership and remaining at the helm of the firm’s management and strategy.

The company has set an ambitious goal to double both its workforce and revenue within the next three years, further consolidating its leadership in the sector.

Mario Alonso, President of Auren, commented: “The CNMC’s approval marks the beginning of a new chapter for our firm, one where we can unlock our full growth potential without compromising our core identity, values, or the humanistic culture that defines us. This alliance with Waterland strengthens our commitment to talent, innovation, and excellence.”

Alonso also revealed that the firm is ready to activate several integration and acquisition projects in the coming months, now that the regulatory condition has been fulfilled:
“This operation is innovative in nature. The entry of strategic capital into an independent firm like Auren not only validates our model, but could also act as a catalyst for broader change across the professional services sector.”

Waterland will support Auren’s growth strategy by contributing its European sector expertise and promoting sustainable expansion aligned with its values. The current Board of Directors, composed of partners Mario Alonso, José Luis Galipienso, Ignacio Irígoras, and Javier Cantera, will now be joined by Waterland representatives David Torralba and Matthias Geyssens. Mario Alonso will continue in his role as President of the firm.

This pioneering transaction sets a precedent in Spain’s professional services market and signals a new era of collaboration between private capital and independent professional firms.