Main Capital Partners announces the appointment of Marco de Lignie as Head of Legal & Tax

Main Capital Partners is pleased to announce the arrival of Marco de Lignie as Head of Legal and Tax per January 1st, 2025. de Lignie brings over 26 years of experience as a partner in the tax practice of Loyens & Loeff, where he specialized in advising on the tax structuring of funds and investments, management incentive plans, and investment management transactions. de Lignie brings extensive experience and deep expertise to Main as it enters its next phase of (international) expansion. His appointment underscores Main’s dedication to strengthening its operational and organizational capabilities, including managing legal and tax matters, while expanding its presence as a leading enterprise software investor in North-Western Europe and North America. As a leading fast growing GP (AIFM) Main Capital Partners currently has over EUR 6 billion assets under management (AUM).

Throughout his career, de Lignie has advised numerous renowned Dutch, Luxembourg, and UK-based Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs) and asset managers. He has extensive expertise in structuring alternative investment funds, carrying out interest arrangements, spinouts, co-investments, and continuation funds. de Lignie has also supported portfolio management teams in constructing and implementing incentive plans that align with long-term business objectives. In recent years, de Lignie played a key role in advising Main with respect to tax and legal matters, supporting the successful launches of Main Capital VIII and Main Foundation II. He assisted Main also with their structuring and formation as Dutch master funds with Dutch and Luxembourg feeders. After only a six-month fundraising period, Main succeeded in raising over EUR 2,4 billion for these funds with Main Capital VIII closing successfully at EUR 1.9 billion and Main Foundation II at EUR 500 million in investor commitments, effectively doubling the size of their predecessor funds. Both funds were substantially oversubscribed and closed at their hard caps. Additionally, in 2021, de Lignie was instrumental in advising Main in connection with the dual fundraise of Main Capital VII and Main Foundation funds, both of which were also oversubscribed.

In addition to his professional work, de Lignie represented the Netherlands on the Tax Committee of Invest Europe up to and including 2024, where he previously served as Chair in 2019 and 2020, and he actively contributes to the Dutch Venture Capital Association’s (NVP) Tax Committee. de Lignie holds a degree in Tax Law from the University of Leiden (1987) and is a regular lecturer and speaker on private equity tax matters. Effective from 1 January 2025, de Lignie will assume the role of Head of Legal & Tax, concentrating on the legal and tax structuring of the Main funds and their investments. He will report to the firm’s Board, represented by Charly Zwemstra (CEO and Managing Partner) and Wilko Scheurwater (Managing Partner and Chief Finance, Risk and Governance Officer). He will work closely with Main’s Fund structuring and Investor relations Group as well as Frans de Boer, who is Legal Counsel at Main and previously served at Loyens & Loeff as well.

Charly Zwemstra, CEO and Managing Partner at Main Capital Partners, said: “Marco’s solid reputation and extensive expertise in legal and tax structuring will be invaluable as we advance our operations. His knowledge will strengthen Main’s internal processes, ensuring the firm is well positioned to meet the demands of an expanding market while maintaining high standards of operational efficiency. As Main continues to grow in North-Western Europe and North America, de Lignie’s contributions will be key to navigating the complexities of building Main as an international Alternative Investment Manager. We are confident that Marco will significantly contribute to Main’s success in the next phase of our development.”

Marco de Lignie, Head of Legal & Tax at Main Capital Partners, commented: “I am excited to join Main Capital Partners and contribute to its continued growth. With my experience gained over the past 20 years in the investment management practice with a focus on the tax and legal aspects relevant for private equity funds with an international investor base and a cross-border investment strategy, this step feels as a natural fit and I look forward to supporting Main’s next stage of development.”