mergers & acquisitions
Cresco supported Mathieu Loquet, backed by WAD Capital, in the successful completion of its acquisition of Lardenoit Finance & Insurance from the Lardenoit family, marking a significant step in the consolidation of the Belgian independent insurance brokerage market. The transaction was structured through WAD Capital’s CEO-in-Residence programme, under which Mathieu Loquet takes on the role of CEO of Lardenoit, and will co-operate closely with Famke Lardenoit.
WAD Capital is an institutional search fund focused on succession and generational transition in European SMEs, partnering with experienced executives to acquire established businesses in B2B services, energy transition, and healthcare. Backed by a network of family offices, institutional investors, and international entrepreneurs, it targets companies with EBITDA of EUR 1 to 5 million in fragmented markets and places a selected CEO at the helm through its CEO-in-Residence programme, allowing retiring owners to hand over their business while preserving its foundations and, where they wish, to reinvest alongside the new leadership.
Founded in 1989 by Rudy Lardenoit, Lardenoit Finance & Insurance grew from a family brokerage in Temse into the largest independent insurance broker in the Waasland region of East Flanders. Operating from offices in Temse, Sint-Gillis-Waas, and Sinaai, the firm serves individuals, entrepreneurs, and SMEs across personal and professional insurance and financial services, with no ties to any single insurer.
The Belgian independent insurance brokerage market is consolidating rapidly, as many well-regarded regional firms face ownership transition when founding generations approach retirement. As the largest independent broker in the Waasland, Lardenoit enters this next phase from a position of strength, with a multi-office presence and an established client base built over decades. Under the incoming leadership of Mathieu Loquet, the focus will be on investing in people and specialisation, deepening client retention, and positioning the firm for continued growth, while preserving its identity, name, and local roots.
We are pleased to have supported Mathieu Loquet on this important step and would like to thank all parties involved for the constructive and efficient collaboration throughout the process.
A special thank you to Mathieu Loquet, Alain Brossé, Steven Coppens, and Christopher Tournis Gamble for their continued trust in Cresco.
Cresco’s deal team and due diligence team consisted of Glenn L’hoëst, Olivier Van Raemdonck, Hussein Dagher, Ward Verwaeren, Axel Desmet, and Amber Van Cauwenbergh.
For any further information or questions on M&A transactions, please feel free to contact Glenn L’hoëst.
