Marks successful exit from Spain’s telecommunications operator with the highest number of subscribers
MADRID and LONDON, 12 December 2025 – Cinven, KKR and Providence, the sponsors of Lorca JVCo ("Lorca"), the entity through which they indirectly own 50% of MasOrange, today announced they have reached a binding agreement for Orange to acquire Lorca's stake. The transaction represents a significant milestone for Spain's telecommunications operator with the highest number of subscribers.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lorca will receive total cash proceeds of €4.25 billion.
In 2020, Cinven, KKR and Providence strategically partnered with management and local shareholders to facilitate the €5.3 billion take-private of MásMóvil. MasOrange was formed in 2024 by the merger of MásMóvil and Orange España, with Orange Group owning 50% of the combined group and Lorca the remaining half.
At the time of the take-private, MásMóvil was the fourth largest player in the Spanish telecoms market with more than 11 million customers. Under the consortium’s ownership, MasOrange has developed into the telecommunications operator with the highest number of subscribers in Spain, serving over 33 million lines. The sponsors have partnered closely with management to organically grow the business, develop a top-quality product offering and customer satisfaction, as well as reduce churn. Over the course of the sponsors’ investment, MásMóvil also completed more than ten network transactions and seven accretive acquisitions including the transformative take-private of Euskaltel in 2021 and the merger with Orange España in 2024. Earlier this year, MasOrange also created one of the largest independent fibre networks in Europe by merging its network assets with those of Vodafone Spain.
Miguel Segura and Thomas Railhac, Partners at Cinven said: “Our journey with MasOrange has been an extraordinary one. We are immensely proud to have played a role in building Spain’s leading telecommunications operator, driving innovation and delivering meaningful value to millions of customers and we are delighted to see MasOrange well-positioned for a bright future ahead.”
Iñaki Cobo, Partner at KKR and Head of Iberia, said: “Since 2020, MasOrange has undergone a transformation from a challenger brand, growing into Spain’s leading telecommunications operator. We’ve been delighted to have played a role in accelerating the growth of a company powering vital, market-leading connectivity for millions of citizens and businesses, alongside our consortium partners and the exceptional team at MasOrange.”
Robert Sudo, Managing Director, Providence, who first invested in MásMóvil in 2016, said:
Over the past nine years, our investment in MasOrange has exemplified our specialist approach and ability to identify compelling opportunities in the middle market and build them with strategic and financial support to top level firms in Spain and beyond. We are grateful to MásMóvil's founder and CEO Meinrad Spenger, whose strategic vision and partnership have been pivotal to driving transformative growth. We wish everyone at MasOrange success for the next chapter and would like to thank our Lorca co-investors for their partnership since 2020.”
Advisors to Cinven, KKR and Providence included: Barclays, BOFA, BNP Paribas, CACIB, Goldman Sachs (lead), JP Morgan (M&A) and Freshfields (Legal).
Completion of the transaction is anticipated in H1 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
About Providence
Providence is a specialist private equity investment firm focused on growth-oriented media, communications, education and technology companies across North America and Europe. Providence combines its partnership approach to investing with deep industry expertise to help management teams build exceptional businesses and generate attractive returns. Since its founding in 1989, Providence has invested over $40 billion across more than 180 private equity portfolio companies. With its headquarters in Providence, RI, the firm also has offices in New York, London, Boston and Atlanta. For more information, please visit www.provequity.com.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.
About Cinven
Cinven is a leading international private equity firm focused on building world-class global and European companies. Its funds invest in six key sectors: Business Services, Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials and Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT). Cinven has offices in London, New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Guernsey and Luxembourg.
Cinven takes a responsible approach towards its portfolio companies, their employees, suppliers, local communities, the environment and society.
Cinven Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Cinven Fund Management S.à r.l. is authorised and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier.
In this press release ‘Cinven’ means, depending on the context, any of or collectively, Cinven Holdings Guernsey Limited, Cinven Partnership LLP, and their respective Associates (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) and/or funds managed or advised by any of the foregoing.
For additional information on Cinven please visit www.cinven.com and www.linkedin.com/company/cinven/.
For Cinven
Clare Bradshaw
Tel. +44 (0)7881 918 967
[email protected]
Alison Raymond
Tel. +44 (0)7826 856198
[email protected]
Brunswick
[email protected]
For KKR
FGS Global
Alastair Elwen
+44 (0)20 7251 3801
[email protected]
For Providence
FGS Global
Charlie Chichester / Rory King
+44 (0)20 7251 3801
[email protected]
