Montagu to Acquire Majority Stake in DQS to Support Global Expansion and Digital Certification Growth

Montagu to Acquire Majority Stake in DQS to Support Global Expansion and Digital Certification Growth

(IN BRIEF) Montagu has agreed to acquire a majority stake in DQS, a global provider of certification and business assurance services, marking a strategic investment aimed at supporting the company’s next phase of international growth and digital transformation. With DIN remaining a key minority shareholder, the partnership combines financial backing with deep expertise in regulated markets, enabling DQS to expand its capabilities in areas such as digital trust, ESG, and medical devices. Serving more than 20,000 clients worldwide, DQS operates in a growing market driven by increasing regulatory complexity and demand for compliance and certification services, particularly in emerging areas like artificial intelligence. Montagu’s long-term investment approach and sector knowledge are expected to strengthen DQS’s global platform, enhance its technology capabilities, and support its continued development as a trusted provider of mission-critical certification services.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 29-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Montagu has agreed to acquire a majority stake in DQS Holding GmbH, a global provider of certification and business assurance services, from a consortium of shareholders that includes UL Solutions, DIN, and several German industry associations. As part of the transaction, DIN will retain a significant minority stake and continue to support the company’s future development alongside Montagu.

Founded in 1985, DQS has grown from Germany’s first management system certification body into a global organization serving over 20,000 clients across more than 60 countries. The company delivers critical services that help businesses comply with regulatory standards, improve operational performance, and strengthen trust with stakeholders, including long-standing partnerships with major international corporations and DAX-listed companies.

The global certification and business assurance market, in which DQS operates, is characterized by strong long-term growth drivers, including increasing regulatory requirements, rising environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, and growing demand for digital trust and compliance solutions. In particular, the expansion of artificial intelligence is expected to further drive demand for certification services related to digital systems and data integrity.

Montagu’s investment reflects its strategy of partnering with resilient, market-leading businesses operating in regulated and compliance-driven sectors. The firm has followed DQS for more than a decade and aims to support its next phase of growth by providing long-term capital and operational expertise. The focus will be on expanding DQS’s international footprint, enhancing its technology-enabled platform, and strengthening its capabilities in areas such as digital trust, ESG, and medical devices.

Tobias Weltin, Partner at Montagu, highlighted DQS’s strong reputation, global reach, and technical expertise, emphasizing the firm’s intention to work closely with the management team led by Ingo M. Rübenach. He noted that Montagu will support the company’s expansion and innovation efforts while maintaining its independence and adherence to strict accreditation standards.

Ingo M. Rübenach welcomed the partnership, stating that Montagu’s experience in regulated markets will help accelerate DQS’s transformation and global growth strategy. The company plans to invest further in digitalization, strengthen its international presence, and expand its service offerings in high-growth areas, while continuing to deliver high-quality certification services worldwide.

DIN, which has been a shareholder since DQS’s founding, will remain actively involved in supporting the company’s development. Daniel Schmidt, CFO of DIN, emphasized that the partnership will help advance the evolution of quality infrastructure, including standardization, certification, and market surveillance, particularly in the context of digital transformation.

Other stakeholders, including UL Solutions and industry associations such as DGQ, also expressed confidence that the new ownership structure will enable DQS to continue its growth trajectory and strengthen its position as a global leader in certification and assurance services.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

About Montagu
Montagu is a leading mid-market private equity firm, committed to finding and growing businesses that make the world work. Focusing on businesses with a must-have product or service in a structurally growing marketplace, Montagu brings proven growth capabilities to help companies achieve their ambitions and unlock their full potential. Montagu specialises in carve-out and other first time buyout investments and has deep expertise in five priority sectors: Healthcare, Financial Sector Services, Critical Data, Digital Infrastructure and Education. ESG forms an integral part of its strategy, and its commitment to responsible investment is fully integrated into its investment and value-creation process. Montagu has €15bn assets under management.

For additional information on Montagu, visit www.montagu.com

About DQS
DQS empowers organizations worldwide to build trust, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth by certifying the future of business. Founded in 1985, DQS has grown into a global leader in the assessment and certification of management systems, with a team of 3,000 highly qualified auditors delivering over 130,000 audit days per year in more than 80 countries. Through internationally recognized certifications across 200+ standards, DQS helps businesses manage risks, ensure compliance, and unlock new opportunities in an evolving regulatory and business landscape.

Thinking beyond compliance, DQS is a trusted partner for digitalization, automation, and sustainability leadership. The company’s expertise covers a wide range of areas, spanning from cybersecurity and AI governance to ESG compliance, supply chain management, medical device safety, and future mobility, delivering real value to industries in their pursuit of resilient, sustainable, and intelligent systems. By leveraging advanced auditing methodologies, predictive analytics, and real-time insights, DQS supports organizations to future-proof their operations while demonstrating their commitment to excellence and responsible business practices.

For more information, visit www.dqsglobal.com

About DIN
The German Institute for Standardization (DIN) is the independent platform for standardization in Germany and worldwide. Together with industry, academia, the public sector, and civil society, DIN plays a key role in opening up fields of the future. As a key player in the digital and green transitions, DIN makes an important contribution to addressing current challenges and enables new technologies, products, and processes to become established in the market and in society. Approximately 40,000 experts from industry and research, consumer groups, and the public sector contribute their expertise to the standardization process, which DIN manages as a privately organized project manager. The results are market-oriented standards that promote global trade and serve the purposes of rationalization, quality assurance, the protection of society and the environment, as well as safety and mutual understanding.

For more information, visit www.din.de

Media Contact:

Greenbrook: James Madsen, Cecilie Oerting
+44 20 7952 2000 | montagu@greenbrookadvisory.com

SOURCE: Montagu