Thomas H. Lee Partners
Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. is a prominent American private equity firm headquartered in Boston. The firm focuses on investing in middle market growth companies across various sectors, including financial technology, services, healthcare, technology, and business solutions. History
Thomas H. Lee Partners was founded in 1974 by Thomas H. Lee, often referred to as THL. Over the years, THL has raised approximately $34 billion of equity capital, and it has made significant investments in more than 160 companies. The firm's portfolio includes a vast array of successful businesses, with over 500 add-on acquisitions representing an aggregate enterprise value at acquisition of over $210 billion. In recognition of its accomplishments, Private Equity International ranked THL Partners 82nd among the top 300 private equity firms based on funds raised in 2021. The firm's Management Committee consists of Co-CEOs Todd Abbrecht and Scott Sperling, Chairman Tony DiNovi, and Managing Director Tom Hagerty, each contributing their expertise and vision to the firm's operations. It is worth noting that the firm's namesake, Thomas H. Lee, left the company and formed Lee Equity Partners in 2006. Investments
Throughout its history, Thomas H. Lee Partners has raised over $30 billion, demonstrating its ability to attract significant capital for its investments. The firm has launched various funds, such as: 
 1984 - Fund I ($66 million)
 1989 - Fund II ($568 million)
 1996 - Fund III ($1.4 billion)
 1998 - Fund IV ($3.5 billion)
 2001 - Fund V ($6.1 billion)
 2006 - Fund VI ($8.1 billion)
 2016 - Fund VII ($2.6 billion)
 2019 - Fund VIII ($3.59 billion)
 2022 - Fund IX ($5.6 billion)

Other Funds 
 2019 – Continuation Fund I ($867 million)
 2020 – Continuation Fund II ($916 million) 
 2021 – Automation Fund ($900 million)

Source: Thomas H. Lee website

Notable transactions sponsored by THL include AbacusNext, Aramark, AutoStore, Brooks Automation,
Ceridian, CSafe Global,
Dunkin' Brands, 
Experian, Fidelity National Information Services, FourKites, Hightower Advisors, HomeSide Lending, Houghton Mifflin, Syneos Health,
Michael Foods, The Nielsen Company, ProSiebenSat.1, Smile Doctors, Snapple, Warner Chilcott, Warner Music Group, and West Corporation. Refco

In 2004, THL completed a leveraged buyout acquisition of Refco, a financial services company specializing in commodities and futures contracts, which collapsed suddenly in October 2005 only months after its IPO. Refco's collapse cost investors more than $1 billion and sparked multiple suits for negligence against the firm. THL in turn sued Refco's auditors and former executives claiming they hid the fraud which caused Refco's collapse. THL has since settled all claims by Refco’s brokerage customers, bankruptcy trustee and shareholders. Art Van Bankruptcy 
In March 2020, Art Van Furniture, a furniture retailer owned by THL, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company's going-out-of-business sales, approved two days before the filing, had to be suspended due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As a debtor-in-possession, Art Van could not prioritize paying employees over other creditors without a court order. To support the affected employees, THL established a 'Hardship Fund' and contributed an initial donation of $1 million. Additionally, THL pledged to match up to another $1 million in outside donations. In March 2021, THL fulfilled its matching commitment, leading to relief payments of approximately $1,200 per former Art Van employee. Affiliates
THL's past affiliates include:

THL Credit Advisors acquired in 2020 by First Eagle Investment Managed, provided junior debt to middle-market companies seeking capital for growth, acquisition, recapitalization and/or change of control. In July 2020, THL Credit changed its name to First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc. 

TH Lee Putnam Ventures is a technology-focused private equity firm affiliated with THL and Putnam Investments, a leading global money management firm. TH Lee Putnam Ventures manages $1.1 billion in capital commitments and has invested approximately $850 million in more than 43 companies since the firm's formation in 1999. Notes

External links

Thomas H. Lee (FundingUniverse.com, from International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 24. St. James Press, 1999.) Banks Balk at Paying for Clear Channel Deal (New York Times, 2008)

Financial services companies of the United States
Private equity firms of the United States
Companies based in Boston
American companies established in 1974
Financial services companies established in 1974
1974 establishments in Massachusetts