About us
Leading
investment firm
Investment leaders based in Portugal
based in Portugal
We combine the insight of a regional expert with the capabilities of a global investment firm, Davidson Kempner Capital Management. This partnership enables us to recognize the best opportunities and overcome complex challenges across industries.
Our mission
At ECS, our driving force is turning investment into value while prioritizing the best interests of our investors. We are committed to delivering exceptional returns through a relationship built on ethics, trust, and transparency.
Our values
Integrity, teamwork, excellence, innovation.
ECS believes in conducting business with unwavering honesty and integrity, working hard, and operating as a cohesive team. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest professional standards and are determined to find creative solutions to the complex challenges we face. We embrace innovation and constantly seek opportunities to improve. These values are key to our success and have enabled ECS to achieve its investors’ goals.
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Our milestones
In December 2022, a consortium led by investment funds advised by Davidson Kempner Capital Management completed the acquisition of ECS. This partnership presents an exceptional opportunity for ECS to build on many years of success as a leading investment manager in the Portuguese private equity sector, and the opportunity to grow the platform and asset portfolio over the coming years.
EST SINCE 1983
Davidson Kempner
Davidson Kempner Capital Management is a global investment management firm with 40 years of experience and a focus on fundamental investing with a multi-strategy approach. Davidson Kempner has over 500 employees across offices in New York, Philadelphia, London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Mumbai.
EST SINCE 2006
ECS
The firm was founded in 2006, and has established itself early on as a leader in the domestic private investments sector by managing, structuring and executing investments in companies and assets with long-term capital appreciation opportunities.
Our journey
Our journey to the present has gone through different phases in accordance with varying market cycles and evolving business opportunities:
2006/2008
Market Context:
- Positive GDP growth prospects
- High availability of debt
- PE sector emerging as a new source of capital in Portugal
ECS Strategy:
Firm was established as a generalist growth/buyout PE fund manager, launching its 1st fund (FA)
2009/2011
Market Context:
- Signs of economic slowdown
- Government borrowing costs sore and internal demand collapses
- Growth of NPLs
ECS Strategy:
First mover shift towards corporate distressed debt, becoming market leader with an innovative approach
2012/2013
Market Context:
- Sovereign debt crisis and severe austerity measures imposed by the government
- Asset prices depreciation and increased real estate NPLs
ECS Strategy:
Expansion into real estate distress debt investments
2014/2016
Market Context:
- Renewed focus on growth
- Yields peaked since the onset of the financial crisis, a trend which was reversed
ECS Strategy:
Focus on optimizing operational platforms and in value creation opportunities, through asset development and repositioning
2017/2022
Market Context:
- Strong market momentum, with increasing investment volumes and prime yields dropping to record low levels
- Tourism industry thriving, with increasing reputation and growing demand
ECS Strategy:
Monetize value created and profit from market momentum
Our team