Richard Facioni shakes up private equity space with launch of new firm

Prominent business investor Richard Facioni has today announced the launch of his new boutique private equity firm, ACTA Capital.

As reported by Ragtrader, Facioni departed his previous role at Alceon Group in late January to establish this new venture. 

The Sydney-based ACTA Capital has a focus on two business streams, retail and consumer brands and growth capital across industries, Facioni said. 

"ACTA Capital will bring our hands-on, operational approach to partnering with exceptional management teams to build businesses with high strategic value.

"ACTA Capital will have a dual investment focus, retail and consumer brands, where we have extensive experience and see significant opportunity, and growth capital for high-potential businesses and management teams across industries," he said. 

Facioni is serving as the founder and CEO of ACTA and is continuing to work closely with Alceon Group. 

ACTA Capital is co-managing Alceon Group’s investment in Mosaic Brands, with Facioni continuing as Mosaic’s chairman.

The firm's seed investment portfolio also includes Alquemie Group, a retail investment platform with an expanding portfolio of owned and licensed brands, including Lego Certified Stores, SurfStitch and Ginger & Smart, also currently being co-managed with Alceon.

Meanwhile, ACTA hasn't wasted any time securing its first growth capital opportunity, hitting the ground running with the management buyout of Trovon Group (formerly known as Sabre Rail) from its UK parent - partnering with Trovon’s local management team led by MD John Marinos. 

Trovon is an engineering firm specialising in rail component overhaul, with experience across mainline, high speed, freight, metro and light rail services.

The investment by ACTA Capital will support Trovon’s growth in international markets and expansion into new sectors.

"Trovon is a perfect candidate for our growth capital investment stream," Facioni said. 

"We see significant opportunity to grow the business domestically and internationally in the coming years in partnership with John and his team.

"Trovon will form the cornerstone investment as we seek to build a portfolio of businesses operating in the asset," he said.