Sienna PE snags 60% of Independent Talent Group in $100M deal

Independent Talent Group (ITG), the London‑based agency founded by Duncan Heath, has just closed a deal that will see Sienna Private Equity (SPE) take a majority shareholding in the company.

The transaction also ends Yucaipa Companies’ 49 % stake, which it has held since 2012, although Yucaipa will remain a financing partner. ITG’s leadership will stay on, with Heath staying as chairman and the current managing directors retaining their roles.

The firm counts about 140 employees, including 60 agents who represent a roster that reads like a Who’s Who of contemporary cinema. Among its clients are Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Jodie Comer, Anthony Hopkins, Sophie Turner and Phoebe Waller‑Bridge, among others.

The deal is reported to value ITG at more than $100 million and will allow the agency to grow both organically and through strategic acquisitions.

SPE’s investment marks a shift for ITG, which has been searching for new capital or a potential sale for some time. Prior to this deal, ITG had sold its earlier incarnation, Duncan Heath Associates, to ICM in 1985 and later spun out from that merger in 2002.

The agency has weathered the industry’s turbulence following the U.S. strikes, taking a profit hit that prompted fresh financing considerations.

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## Background & Context

Duncan Heath founded Duncan Heath Associates with Hilary Dwyer in the 1970s. The company sold to ICM in 1985, merged with ICM’s London operation, and Heath served as chairman before executing a management buyout in 2002. The agency was rebranded as Independent Talent Group a few years later.

Yucaipa Companies acquired a 49 % stake in ITG in 2012 and has been its largest shareholder since. The recent transaction will see Yucaipa exit its majority position while remaining a financing partner, .

ITG’s current structure includes 140 staff, with 60 agents among them. Jane Epstein, Paul Stevens and Jessica Sykes continue as Managing Directors. The firm’s roster spans actors, directors and writers across film and television, positioning it as a key player in the European talent market.

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## What People Are Saying

“Heath: ‘SPE brings their extensive experience to this partnership, and we are thrilled to be working with them as we step into 2026. This exciting development will enable us to expand our client offering whilst exploring new opportunities in this ever evolving industry, ensuring that ITG remains at the forefront of its field.’”

“Catherine: ‘We are excited to work with the Independent team to accelerate its growth trajectory. The agency already enjoys a strong reputation and represents iconic talent across a wide range of segments.

Our role will be to provide additional resources and support to its agents, as we believe there are significant opportunities for ITG to further strengthen and expand its position as a leading talent agency in Europe and further afield.’”

Both leaders emphasize that the partnership is geared toward strengthening ITG’s service breadth while keeping the agency’s core team intact.

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## What Happens Next

A new group of ITG agents, whose identities remain undisclosed, will now hold shares in the company. The investment structure allows for growth “both organically and through strategic acquisitions,” . This framework signals an intention to broaden the agency’s offerings beyond its current entertainment focus.

Leadership continuity is a key feature of the deal. Duncan Heath will remain chairman, while Sally Long‑Innes stays as CEO and the managing directors keep their positions. Their retention aims to preserve ITG’s operational stability during the expansion phase.

The deal has been advised by a range of financial and legal firms: SPE was guided by The Raine Group, Mayer Brown International LLP and Eight Advisory, while Yucaipa and ITG received counsel from BofA Securities, Simons Muirhead Burton LLP, Inner Circle Sports and Ross Bennet Smith.

These advisors played a role in structuring the transaction.

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The partnership with Sienna Private Equity signals a new chapter for Independent Talent Group. With a majority stake secured and a clear growth strategy outlined, ITG is poised to deepen its influence in the talent industry while preserving the leadership that has guided it through decades of change.