James Taylor

European investment group AXA Private Equity has closed a $2.9 billion global secondaries fund. The fund is almost three times bigger than its previous offering, and will look to complete up to 18 deals over the next three years.

Fund of funds manager Adveq is opening its first office outside Europe. The Swiss firm has hired two US private equity investment veterans to lead a new office in New York, as it looks to strengthen relationships with US fund managers.

Royal Bank of Scotland’s private equity arm has put Southern Water up for sale with a price tag of about £4 billion. The UK utility is likely to attract a number of potential suitors.

The UK-based private equity group has formally launched its €2.4 billion offer for music company EMI, soon after closing its biggest ever fund. The offer also sets a deadline for any competing bids.

Sandra Robertson, previously a senior investment professional at the Wellcome Trust, has been appointed as the first Chief Investment Officer of Oxford University. Oxford wants to utilise her experience in alternative asset investing to boost returns.

CORECAP, a Qatar-based alternative asset manager and advisor, has launched its debut private equity fund. The $150 million Shariah-compliant fund will look to take advantage of the growing popularity of Islamic private equity.

Advent International is expanding its horizons further east, with a Ukraine office planned for September to supplement its existing network.

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has continued its recent flurry of deal-making, buying two Chilean water supply and sanitation companies from Southern Cross Group.

Greek investment group Marfin wants to raise over €5 billion via a rights issue for investments in South East Europe – and then put the entire sum to work within just 12 months.

UK buyout firm Charterhouse Capital Partners has agreed a secondary buyout of TSL Education, the educational publishing business that was Exponent Private Equity’s first acquisition as an independent entity.