North America

KKR hires infrastructure veteran as a senior advisor

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts’ appointment of Lewis Eisenberg, part of its recent expansion, is intended to help strengthen infrastructure operations and investor relations.

Pantheon promotes US exec to partner

Brian Buenneke has been part of Pantheon’s primaries team since 2004.

AEW makes UK buy for pan regional fund

The Paris-based property fund manager has made its third investment for its large value-added vehicle, European Property Investors Special Opportunities.

Allied Capital defaults on more than $1bn in debt

The publicly listed company is in discussions with its lenders and noteholders seeking relief from covenants on its debt.

Report: Oaktree in talks with Apollo over Countrywide debt

The US distressed investor is reportedly interested in rescuing the UK’s largest estate agency from the brink of collapse. Apollo acquired the firm at the height of the UK housing bubble for £1bn.

Who’s responsible?

The largest private equity firms in the world have committed to consider socially responsible investment guidelines. Is this all just PR window dressing? asks Christopher Witkowsky.

Mega-firms embrace socially responsible investing

Some of the world’s biggest private equity firms – including KKR, Blackstone, Carlyle, Permira, Providence, Apax and Apollo – have committed to consider environmental, social and corporate governance issues when making investments.

ACG Private Equity targets €300m for Fund V

The mid-market European fund of funds will invest the vehicle in Central and Eastern Europe, special situations and growth capital funds.

Goh resurfaces at Matrix

Former Kleiner Perkins China partner Ian Goh has followed David Su to Matrix's China affiliate. Su and Goh worked together both at Kleiner Perkins China and TDF Capital. Matrix is investing its first China fund, which closed on $275m in January 2008.

Investcorp writes down $95m on private equity portfolio

The quoted investment manager suffered a net loss for the first time in its history, due largely to hedge fund positions. Its private equity portfolio is 'in better shape' than many competitors, chief executive Nemir Kirdar has said.