Matilda Battersby

Swedish Apax office to become independent

Apax Partners is downgrading its resources in Sweden as part of its efforts to ‘rebalance’ its existing resources.

UK buyout industry faces £4.3bn in debt refinancing

As loans taken out during the market’s boom cycle come due, the UK buyout market faces a challenge as ‘any company that fails to approach its lender from a position of strength may leave with a bloody nose’, according to law firm Trowers & Hamlins.

3i loses FTSE 100 status

The listed private equity firm is one of five companies to be removed from the UK Financial Times Share Index 100 due to insufficient market caps.

Report: 3i mulls move into debt investments

The UK-listed private equity frim is reportedly considering a move into investing in debt instruments. Other firms which have recently moved to take advantage of credit opportunities include Providence Equity Partners and BC Partners.

Good Energies leads NOK1.15bn solar funding round

Norwegian solar energy firm NorSun has raised NOK1.15bn in Series C funding for the expansion of its silicon ingot production lines. The financing was led by Swiss clean energy investor Good Energies which invested NOK250m.

Strømme leaves Herkules

Former Morgan Stanley veteran Dag Strømme has left Herkules Capital after just two years as a partner at the Nordic private equity firm.

KKR absorbs assets from listed fund

KKR has acquired five co-investments worth $211m, including hospital group HCA, from its listed Euronext affiliate, which it is winding down and will de-list. The absorption of KPE’s assets was last year described as a key element preceding the firm’s NYSE flotation, though KKR has said it is rethinking its IPO plans.

Greenpark makes third senior hire in six months

The UK-based secondaries firm has hired Eric Pathé as an investment director just months after it appointed Matthew Arkinstall and Robert Savage.

EVCA delegates: Private equity model isn’t broken

Research released at EVCA’s Investors’ Forum in Geneva today reveals that despite negative returns in 2008, long-term IRRs remain robust. Comments from delegates, including Providence’s John Hahn and the Wellcome Trust’s Danny Truell, reflect an industry engaged in self-critical dialogue as it returns to its roots.

3i looks to raise £400m from VC secondaries

The London-listed private equity giant is trying to sell some of its European venture capital portfolio in an attempt to reduce its debt load.