Brait optimising investments in Virgin Active and New Look

PRIVATE equity investment firm Brait is focused on positioning its remaining big investments, which include control of Virgin Active and a shareholding UK fast fashion retailer New Look, for asset realisation or unbundling.

- EDWARD WEST

Over the past two years, Brait, which has well-known South African businessman Christo Wiese as its main shareholder with an approximate 38% stake, has indicated at various stages an intention to realise its investments, possibly even through a listing of global wellness group Virgin Active, late in the 2026 financial year. However, the annual report released on Friday carried no further explicit plans to divest from its key investments.

The report stated, however, that appropriate portfolio company board representation would be maintained to direct investment strategy, optimise growth in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), and generate free cash flow and value creation. Exit alternatives for each portfolio company, which may include public offerings and resulting secondary market share sales, trade sales, or a breakup, would also continue to be assessed.