MADRID — Partners at LLYC have bought back the 30% stake that private equity firm MBO & Co acquired in the agency in 2015.

Since selling the stake six years ago, LLYC has grown at an average annual rate of 18%, and is currently ranked 48th in the world according to PRovoke Media's Global 250, with 2020 revenues reaching €44.3m.

The firm also used the MBO investment to fuel acquisitions, buying a string of firms across Spain, Brazil, the USA and Chile, expanding its network to 16 offices across Iberia and the Americas.

"We are very grateful to MBO & Co for their trust over the years," said LLYC founder and chairman José Antonio Llorente. "They have been the ideal travelling companion at a time of disruption for the sector and for our clients. With their support, we have laid the foundations for a differential positioning that involves integrating digitalisation, exponential technologies and creativity into our value offer. We are embarking on a new phase with ambitious growth objectives and a strengthened position to take advantage of the opportunities that the sector presents."

In addition to Llorente, LLYC's partners include Luisa Garcia, Arturo Pinedo, Adolfo Corujo and David González Natal. 

"We are very satisfied with the partnership we entered into with LLYC five years ago and we now leave having met our investment objectives," added MBO & Co partner Richard Broche. "In this time, LLYC has successfully completed an ambitious growth plan that has established it as a comprehensive provider in the communications and public affairs consulting sector, with specialist teams in multiple areas, as well as technological capabilities and geographic leadership in Iberia and the Americas, a region that represents 52% of the business."