Champlain Financial Corporation Announces the Sale of Garda Background Screening Solutions to Mintz Group 19.12-2016

MONTREAL, December 19, 2016 – Champlain Financial Corporation (“Champlain”), is pleased to announce the sale of Garda Background Screening Solutions (“Garda Screening”), a leading Canadian provider of background screening solutions, to Mintz Group, a New-York based global investigation firm, a portfolio company of WestView Capital Partners.

Champlain acquired Garda World’s background screening division in 2013 in a carve-out transaction. Since then, the company has seen its client base and profitability grow significantly, which was the result of significant business development efforts, operational improvements as well as the employees’ dedication to quality and customer service.

“We have really appreciated working with Champlain as our financial partner in the spin-out and transformation of the business.” said Frederic Latreille, CEO of Garda Screening.

“It has been a pleasure partnering with the management and employees of Garda Screening and I am confident that, considering the great strategic fit, this transaction will provide a strong platform for future growth” said Philippe Adam of Champlain.

“We are excited to have the entire Garda Screening staff join the Mintz Group. Their outstanding team and industry-leading technology will be a vital strategic addition to the company. They have an extensive track record of delivering high quality work to discerning clients and will enable us to establish a significant presence in the Canadian marketplace,” said Jim Mintz, CEO of Mintz Group. The transaction will provide Mintz Group with offices in Montreal and Toronto.

Champlain and Garda Screening were advised by HighBank Advisors and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. Stikeman Elliott LLP in Canada and Latham & Watkins LLP in the U.S. advised Mintz Group on the transaction.

About Champlain Financial Corporation:

Champlain Financial Corporation, a Canadian private holding company based in Montreal, along with its U.S. affiliated private equity fund manager, Champlain Capital Management LLC, has been building a diversified private investment portfolio with a series of investments throughout Canada and the United States. Champlain’s core focus is to serve as a value-added partner in providing equity capital for small and middle-market companies.

About Garda Background Screening Solutions:

Garda Background Screening Solutions is recognized as the most trusted and leading provider of pre-employment background screening solutions throughout Canada. Their industry experience and capabilities have allowed them to provide a wide range of services, including criminal record check, education and professional accreditation, credit report check, I.D. verification, reference check, international security check, and employment verification, customized for each unique client’s needs. Garda is headquartered in Montréal, Québec and has offices in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.gardapreemployment.com.

About Mintz Group:

Mintz Group specializes in clarifying complex business and legal matters by finding and analyzing critical facts that concern its clients during disputes and after frauds. Leading corporations and their legal, financial and recruiting advisors trust Mintz Group’s results to stand up to scrutiny by judges, juries, the press and the public. Mintz Group is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Miami, FL; London; Hong Kong; Beijing; Nairobi, Kenya; San José, Costa Rica; and São Paulo, Brazil. For more information, please visit www.mintzgroup.com.

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