Funds managed and advised by Polus Capital Management have agreed to acquire a 26.54% shareholding in Arqiva from Macquarie Asset Management, ending Macquarie’s 20-year investment in the company.
Polus is an investment management firm with around $14 billion in assets under management, with a focus on essential European and UK infrastructure including utilities, telecoms, power and energy.
Last month, Digital 9 to mark the value of its stake in the transmission company down to zero, citing regulatory and policy uncertainty including the potential switch-off terrestrial television transmissions.
In its results for the first half of its 2026 financial year, published today, Media and Broadcast revenue decreased by 1% year-on-year to £235 million. The company reported Group revenue up 14% to £347.3 million driven by new water metering contracts coming into force.
Arqiva chair Patrick Tillieux said the company’s first-half performance underlined the resilience of its business model, citing long-term customer relationships and “secure, predictable cashflows”. He added that Arqiva’s investment-grade profile and continued access to debt markets reflected investor confidence, and welcomed Polus as a new long-term shareholder.
A Polus spokesperson said the firm was “delighted” to become a shareholder in Arqiva, describing the business as a steward of an essential part of the UK’s national communications backbone and critical digital infrastructure. Polus said it intends to work with Arqiva’s board and management to support stability, service continuity and disciplined growth.
