Member Article

Equistone raise ?1.5bn fund

Private equity investors, Equistone Partners have closed its latest fund, having raised €1.5bn.

After just over a year of fundraising from Equistone team’s spin-out from Barclays PLC, Equistone Partners Europe Fund IV (EPEF IV) will continue to invest in buyouts valued between €50m and €300m.

Substantial contributions from pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies played their parts in the fund.

Guillaume Jacqueau, Managing Partner of Equistone Partners Europe, commented: “This achievement is testament to the team’s successful investment track record in identifying and partnering with strong management teams to achieve impressive returns for our investors and long term growth.

“I am delighted that many of our longstanding investors have increased their commitments since our last fund and that we have received commitments from several new, international investors.”

Rob Myers, Managing Director (UK) of Equistone Partners Europe, added: “The successful final closing of our first fully independent fund is a key milestone for Equistone. This achievement reflects an impressive track record and real strength and depth across the entire team, which underpins the franchise that we have developed in the UK, France and Germany.

“This has been evidenced by the seven new investments made during 2012 and a number of highly successful realisations.”

Among the key investments from EPEF IV were Unither Pharmaceuticals; bespoke travel specialist Audley Travel; and EuroAvionics, a manufacturer of systems for aircraft.

Over the past six years, Equistone has invested more than £290m in North of England business, including support of the £140m MBO of Warrington recruitment specialist Fircroft Engineering Services; a majority share in the MBO of Leeds-based Allied Glass; and funding of the £72m buyout of North West-based ATPI Limited, business travel firm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .