Private equity firms circle Baugur debt

A range of private equity firms have put themselves in the frame for a deal to acquire Icelandic investor Baugur’s $1 billion debt pile. The debt, which is owed to the now nationalised Icelandic banks of Kaupthing, Landsbank and Glitnir, would represent significant stakes in Baugur’s large UK retail portfolio.

Reports in the UK press have linked TPG, Alchemy Partners and Permira to the company’s debt. Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, executive chairman of Baugur, has acknowledged that his company is so leveraged that “the person that owns the debt controls the company”.

Hamleys: fair game

TPG, Alchemy and Permira declined to comment on the deal, although sources close to the situation confirmed that they were all in the frame for the deal. One source suggested that links to individual firms were likely to be “overstated” as “everyone” in the industry would be looking at the deal.

Earlier this week Baugur denied reports suggesting they had called in administrators. The firm faces collapse after the Icelandic government took three of the country’s biggest banks into state hands and froze Baugur’s accounts. Baugur's portfolio includes department stores House of Fraser and Debenhams and iconic toy shop Hamleys.

The private equity bidders join British retail magnate Sir Phillip Green, who has already been in talks with the Icelandic Government. Green owns British retail group Arcadia and department store chain BHS.