Chelsea have entered a new ownership era after American investment firm Clearlake Capital acquired the ownership interests of Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, giving it full control of the Premier League club.
Chelsea confirmed the transition on Wednesday, saying affiliates of Clearlake would acquire Boehly’s ownership interest and Walter’s stake. Swiss businessman Hansjörg Wyss will remain an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group, according to the club.
Boehly has also stepped down as chairman.
The development marks a change in Chelsea’s ownership structure four years after Clearlake and Boehly joined forces to acquire the club from Roman Abramovich.
According to information published on Clearlake’s website, the firm operates across private equity, liquid and private credit and other related investment strategies.
Clearlake says its private-equity business focuses on three main sectors: technology, industrials and consumer businesses.
The firm says it invests in both private and public transactions across the capital structure, including through buyouts, corporate divestitures, reorganisations and recapitalisations.
According to its website, Clearlake seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing what it describes as “patient, long term capital” and applying its O.P.S. operational improvement approach.
The firm says its strategy is designed to invest in businesses that can benefit from operational improvements, including companies in transition and businesses affected by market dislocations.