Jennifer Harris

New firm tries its hand with Atkins

North Castle Partners has acquired Atkins Nutritional Holdings, two years after the company filed for bankruptcy under the ownership of Parthenon Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners.

PEC: buyouts better businesses

Burger King, SunGard and AutoZone are three companies that have benefited from private equity ownership, according to a study released by the Private Equity Council.

Massachusetts pension seeks PE manager

The Essex Regional Massachusetts Retirement Board wants to begin investing in private equity, and is seeking an advisor for an $8 million fund of funds programme.

Union attacks KKR, Och-Ziff IPOs

The US’ largest federation of unions has appealed to the SEC to require KKR and Och-Ziff to register as investment companies ahead of the two firms’ planned initial public offerings.

Environmental Capital raises $100m

Fledgling firm Environmental Capital Partners has secured $100 million from the New York Private Bank & Trust and its founders, which include private equity industry vets, a Yale School of Forestry professor and former New York Ranger Mike Richter.

Forstmann teams with former HBO head for $250m media fund

Private equity legend Ted Forstmann is returning to active investment, after winding down his own firm in 2004. He is raising a $250 million media and entertainment fund with Chris Albrecht, formerly the head of HBO.

Alternative assets boost CalSTRS returns

Alternative assets returned 27.6 percent to CalSTRS last fiscal year. Though less than last year’s 32 percent return, CalSTRS’ alternative assets outperformed the portfolio as a whole by around 7 percentage points.

Linden invests $40m in psychiatric health chain(3)

The Chicago-based, healthcare focused firm has acquired a controlling stake in Behavioral Centers of America, helping the chain to finance its expansion.

Catalyst closes $170m funds below target

Catalyst Investors has closed its second buyout fund and a UK co-investment vehicle on $170 million, below their initial target of $250 million.

Castanea closes third fund on $575m(3)

Castanea Partners has raised $475 million for a core fund and $100 million for an sidecar fund. The total is nearly three times the size of its previous fund.