DigitalBridge and La Caisse wrap $5.8B acquisition of Yondr Group
Digital Bridge and La Caisse have completed their joint $5.8 billion acquisition of Yondr Group from Cathexis, scaling its data center portfolio.
This investment benefits both DigitalBridge and Yondr.
For DigitalBridge and La Caisse, this is another proof point of their partnership in investing in digital infrastructure. Meanwhile, Yondr will have more resources to accelerate its expansion in strategic markets and meet the surging demand for hyperscale and AI-driven data center solutions.
La Caisse is investing alongside DigitalBridge-managed investment vehicles and has assumed joint control of Yondr.
“Over the past few years, we have explored various direct investment opportunities in the data center space, and Yondr has stood out as a compelling platform to capitalize on the growth of the sector,” said Emmanuel Jaclot, EVP and Head of Infrastructure at La Caisse. “At the end of 2024, we joined forces with DigitalBridge to invest in Yondr’s next development phase under renewed leadership and ownership.”
A scale story
The new company structure is all about scale.
As a global developer, owner, and operator of hyperscale data centers, Yondr is focused on addressing the complex data center capacity demands of large technology companies.
Yondr’s experience will remain relevant as the demand for advanced data processing capabilities continues to expand due to the rise of AI.
The company has more than 420 MW of capacity committed to hyperscalers and significant additional land to support a total potential capacity of over 1 GW.
New management structure
With the acquisition now complete, the company has named two industry veterans to lead the organization: Aaron Wangenheim will serve as CEO, and Sandip Mahajan will be CFO.
Wangenheim brings over two decades of data center leadership and extensive experience in overseeing the development and operation of data center campuses worldwide. Before his new role, he served for over 10 years at T5 Data Centers in roles of increasing responsibility, including eight years as Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, he served as an advisor and developer of customized data center solutions, working with numerous investors to evaluate both the property and operational aspects of the evolving data center industry.
As the CEO of Yondr, Wangenheim will lead the company’s next phase of growth as it continues to meet the growing demands of hyperscalers.
Wangenheim succeeds Paul Cossell, who is retiring from the CEO role after two and a half years at Yondr and a nearly three-decade career in the construction and infrastructure industry.
Mahajan brings over three decades of financial leadership and infrastructure investment experience, including expertise in leveraged finance, equity and debt raising, and economic transformation. He has served as Chief Financial Officer at Mitie Group, a publicly listed UK-based support services business, and was previously at Balfour Beatty PLC, a publicly listed construction services business, in several roles, including as a project finance leader specializing in infrastructure equity investments.
Mahajan succeeds Chester Reid, who is stepping down from the CFO role after more than two years at Yondr to pursue other business interests.
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