James Taylor

Forthcoming research suggests 40% of European LPs plan to increase their private equity allocations next year, with many seeking new managers.

The Nordic buyout firm is overhauling its senior deal team in Finland, where it has not made an investment since 2005.

AlpInvest Partners is set to open an office in London, as Europe’s biggest private equity investor continues to expand its global reach.

The Swedish government’s buffer funds, which underpin the country’s pension system, want to plough more money into private equity after the asset class helped them generate strong returns in the first six months of 2007.

Ian Armitage, chief executive of UK buyout firm HgCapital, is moving upstairs to become chairman in a reshuffle that will see TMT head Nic Humphries promoted into the top job. There have also been seven other promotions as the firm looks to reward its up-and-coming talent.

Nordic buyout firm Industri Kapital has made its latest investment in the German industrial sector, buying process engineering business Schenck from UK-based HgCapital.

The Italian special situations investor has closed its first institutional buyout fund with third-party capital, €20 million above its original target.

California pension fund Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association has committed a further $110 million to the asset class, after enjoying strong returns from its previous investments.

The Asian private equity market continues to grow at a rapid rate, but a new report questions whether there are enough quality managers to invest the vast sums pouring into the asset class. James Taylor reports.

Five years after spinning off its private equity business, Morgan Stanley has made another senior appointment as it prepares to launch a $6 billion global buyout fund.