Middle East & North Africa

Advent scores public relations hit with sale of FD

Financial Dynamics, the public relations group owned by Advent, has set a new record with its sale to a US consultancy, netting its private equity backer a stunning return.

StepStone nabs PCG pro

StepStone, a San Diego area advisory firm founded by three ex-PCG executives including its former president, has hired PCG’s former head of research, Jay Rose. Rose is the sixth former PCG employee to move across town to StepStone.

StepStone steps up pace(3)

PCG spin-out StepStone has more than doubled its staff to 10 investment professionals in the past five weeks. Amanda Janis talks with co-founder Monte Brem about the California firm’s broad ownership structure, its two major clients and the attractions of non-discretionary work.

Sainsbury’s considers Qatari £500m equity increase

Qatari investment arm Three Delta is likely to increase the equity component of its offer for FTSE 100-listed Sainsbury’s to meet concerns of the board that the company will be over-leveraged.

Ithmaar appoints McKinlay as executive director

Stormberg Partners founder Michael McKinlay has been appointed executive director of Ithmaar Bank’s private equity team.

StepStone steps up pace(2)

PCG spin-out StepStone has more than doubled its staff to 10 investment professionals in the past five weeks. Amanda Janis talks with co-founder Monte Brem about the California firm’s broad ownership structure, its two major clients and the attractions of non-discretionary work.

S. African investor backs new US firm

Johnnic Holdings, a Johannesburg investment holding company, has made a commitment of as much as $43.5m to New York-based Blue Wolf, a new, government- and labour-focused middle-market buyout firm, led by two former New York City comptroller investment executives.

StepStone steps up pace

PCG spin-out StepStone has more than doubled its staff to 10 investment professionals in the past five weeks. Amanda Janis talks with co-founder Monte Brem about the California firm’s broad ownership structure, its two major clients and the attractions of non-discretionary work.

Advent’s Kiev office ends reorganisation

Global buyout firm Advent International has completed its reorganisation of its central and eastern European operations with the opening of an office in Ukraine.

BNP Paribas appoints Gulf debt head(3)

French bank BNP Paribas has linked up its structured finance and fixed income units in the Gulf through the appointment of Mark Waters as head of debt capital markets in the region.