North America

On the Record: John Hill of First Reserve

This year marks the 30th birthday of specialist energy investor First Reserve. Since 1983, it has raised some $23 billion and completed more than 450 deals; its current portfolio of 28 companies generates combined revenues of over $30 billion. As it prepares to raise Fund XIII, vice-chairman John Hill tells PEI how the industry – and his firm – has changed

Up in arms

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary has led LPs to question their investments in guns and private equity-backed gun makers

Privately Speaking: Tim Sims of Pacific Equity Partners

Pacific Equity Partners introduced the buyout in Australia over a decade ago and has consistently raised the country’s largest funds. As it prepares to raise Fund V in a difficult climate, co-founder and managing director Tim Sims tells Drew Wilson that PEP still has an edge over its local and international rivals

UK roundtable: Flight to quality

The UK is one of the world’s most established private equity markets, long a magnet for talent and capital. But given its stuttering domestic economy, thanks in no small part to the troubles of the neighbouring eurozone, are there still opportunities for private equity to make great returns? We gathered three of the UK industry’s leading lights in London in January to ask them about the outlook for 2013

NYSTRS commits $210m to private equity

The $88bn US pension system's recent commitments included new relationships with ICG Europe and Rhone Partners.

Fiscal shelves?

The US may have pulled back from the fiscal cliff – but with so many tough economic decisions still to be made, investors still have plenty to worry about.

WAMEX’s MIF II fund 65% invested

Less than a year after reaching final close on $160m, WAMEX has invested about 65% of Multinational Industrial Fund II’s committed capital.

Clairvest triples money in IT exit

The firm’s sale of Internet infrastructure business PEER 1 comes following a 12-month period in which Clairvest’s portfolio companies grew EBITDA by 53%.

Study: Alternatives allocations expected to rise

Pension funds have been ramping up exposure to alternatives – with some of the world’s largest pension markets recording a rise in average allocations to 19% from 5%. Consultancy Towers Watson is ‘confident’ the numbers will keep rising.

Performance anxiety: the quest for better benchmarks

Measuring and benchmarking performance has long been a headache for private equity investors. Could relative performance measures ease some of the pain – and help LPs make better asset allocation decisions? Amanda Janis reports