Fidence, backed by Amethis, extends its international reach with the acquisition of CW Partners

Luxembourg, Dubai, Geneva – December 10th, 2025

The acquisition of CW Partners marks Fidence’s first external growth outside Luxembourg since the Group’s formation in March 2025, following the merger of Hoche Partners Corporate Services and Paddock Corporate Services.

Fidence, a leading Luxembourg-based corporate services group offering a comprehensive range of solutions to corporates, investment funds, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional investors, is proud to announce the acquisition of CW Partners, a firm with recognised expertise in cross-border structuring, governance and multi-jurisdictional administration, operating out of Dubai (UAE) and Geneva (Switzerland).

Founded by Frédéric Cuguen, CW Partners has established a strong presence in the Middle East and Switzerland, advising financial institutions, family offices and corporates on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. CW Partners and Fidence have collaborated on several mandates over the years, establishing a relationship grounded in shared standards, execution quality and a long-term client focus.

Strategic expansion into key international hubs

As a new shareholder of Fidence, Frédéric Cuguen will support the Group’s development in the UAE and the wider region, leveraging his long-standing network and his experience in international advisory and structuring.

The acquisition strengthens Fidence’s international platform by adding CW Partners’s presence in the UAE and Switzerland, two jurisdictions playing a central role in international investment and cross-border activity. It enhances the Group’s ability to support clients with locally grounded expertise combined with international coordination and governance discipline.

Cornelius Bechtel, CEO of Fidence, commented: “The combination with CW Partners marks a significant milestone for Fidence, as it initiates the internationalization of our group in major global financial hubs. Frédéric Cuguen’s extensive experience in the UAE and his deep understanding of our clients’ challenges represent a strong asset for our development strategy. Together, we are well positioned to deliver even more value to our clients across regions. We reap the benefits of Amethis’ support over the past year which has allowed the Group to double size.”

Frédéric Cuguen, Founder of CW Partners, added: “CW Partners reinforces Fidence’s expansion at a moment when cross-border activity calls for clarity, predictability and a genuinely international outlook. The UAE has become one of the most effective jurisdictions for structuring international matters, offering regulatory coherence and direct access to global markets. Our team is honoured to support this next phase through disciplined, locally grounded execution, giving Fidence a strong operational base in these regions and ensuring clients benefit from consistent, high-quality support across jurisdictions.”

About Fidence

Fidence (formerly Hoche Partners Corporate Services) was founded in 2005 to support companies and investors in selling, acquiring and financing assets. The firm is a growing independent global service provider of corporate solutions which provides a broad range of accounting, administrative, legal, corporate secretarial and support services to corporate, institutional but also high-net-worth clients around the world. Fidence provides corporate and administration services for the management of Luxembourg companies, investment holdings, financing or real estate vehicles.

For more information:  www.fidence.com

About Amethis

Member of Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity Partnership, Amethis is an impact-oriented private equity firm focusing on financial, environmental and social sustainability on the African and European continents. With assets under management of over €1,4 billion, Amethis has made more than 40 investments to date.

Amethis provides growth capital to promising mid-sized champions in a variety of sectors, offering growth support through its international network covering Europe and Africa as well as systematic improvement of their environmental and social impacts. With seven offices in Paris, Abidjan, Casablanca, Nairobi, Cairo, Cape Town and Luxembourg, the Amethis team includes 55 experienced professionals with strong regional and sector expertise.

For more information: https://amethis.com/

Deal Participants

Fidence

Management : Cornelius Bechtel, Thomas Heymans, Fabio Mazzoni

Legal advisors (Luxembourg) : Fieldfisher (Marion Cressely-Deneuville, Ingrid Dubourdieu)

Legal advisors (UAE) : Hourani & Partners (Salim Sader, Shakir Mabrur)

Compliance due diligence advisors: Daxian (Maxime Nino)

Financial & Tax advisors : BM&A (L. Peny, P. Bouvier) and CLA Emirates (Mathew Nithin, Athul Benny, Purvi Mehta)

CW Partners

Management : Frédéric Cuguen, Kim Lacombe

Legal advisors : McDermott Will & Schulte (Timothée Gagnepain)

Amethis

Nicolas Manardo, Romain Gauvrit, Rebecca Denyer, Timothée de Roucy