Project Details

This newsletter was produced for Oaklins Netherlands to inform private equity professionals, corporate strategists, and mid-market investors on current trends in the Dutch and European M&A space.

Key topics included:

• M&A market update for Q1 2025
• PE activity trends and valuation dynamics
• Debt market insights
• A spotlight on specialized technical services (e.g., HVAC, roofing)
• High-profile deal case studies (e.g., HC Partners & West Friesland Dakbedekkingen)

My contribution:

• Created a visually structured layout that translated data and commentary into digestible, engaging design
• Integrated Oaklins' corporate branding and sector-specific visuals
• Balanced long-form editorial content with dashboards and deal highlights
• Optimized for desktop reading, mobile scannability, and digital downloads (PDF/email)

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Design Approach

This was a data-dense financial newsletter intended for professional stakeholders, so I prioritized clarity, hierarchy, and modular design:

• Clear Visual Sections: Designed intuitive entry points for different types of content: macro trends, deal data, sector spotlights, and commentary
• Data Visualization: Designed bar charts, market dashboards, and valuation tables using Oaklins’ brand style to create a consistent, easy-to-read format
• Editorial Storytelling: Highlighted expert commentary (e.g., Tijn Bastiaans) with pull quotes, section intros, and narrative callouts
• Modular Layout: Each page had a consistent grid, making it easy to scan for private equity activity, debt trends, or spotlight sectors
• PDF + Web Friendly: Designed for multi-platform performance, ensuring both download readability and web/email compatibility

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What We Learned

This newsletter project was a prime example of bridging finance, data, and editorial design in a way that resonates with institutional audiences:

• Consistency builds credibility – Visual trust is key in PE communication
• Financial design must serve insight, not just appearance – charts, tables, and layouts must direct attention to value
• Specialist content (like continuation funds or niche sector M&A) thrives in modular design – giving every insight its own visual weight
• Success lies in the layout-to-insight ratio – minimalism with meaning