According to Altius Associates, one of the biggest global challenges facing investors in 2016 will be how private equity fund managers deal with the highest level of dry powder ever recorded while still delivering returns commensurate with private equity risk.  This, together with making sense of the unprecedented number and complexity of private equity investment strategies now available, represents the two most significant eight challenges identified by Altius in its annual review: ‘Key Challenges Facing Private Markets in 2016.’     In Europe, Altius explores the challenge of generating good returns in today’s environment, where deal volumes are back to the

International investment bank Altium has completed 54 consumer deals worth in excess of GBP8.5 billion over the last five years. The firm has enjoyed a buoyant 2015, completing 13 deals in the sector, including two of its largest-ever transactions. In May, Altium advised the Singh Family Trust on the GBP1.9 billion sale of UK retail business New Look to South African private equity house Brait and in June, Altium advised on the purchase of European cosmetics giant Douglas Holding by CVC Capital Partners.   With disposable income and consumer spending on the rise since the recession, Altium has maintained a

Accountants and business advisers James Cowper Kreston has advised AIM listed Abzena on the raising of GBP20 million through a placing of new shares. James Cowper Kreston acted as reporting accountant on the fund raising, with the team led by Partner and Head of Corporate Finance Nick Rogers.   Abzena, which was admitted on to AIM last year, is a life sciences company providing services and technologies enabling the development and manufacture of biopharmaceutical products.  Since its admission the business has grown significantly organically and via acquisition in both the UK and US.   Abzena intends to use the proceeds

Golding Capital Partners (GCP) now manages a EUR175 million mandate for infrastructure investments from Düsseldorf-based Nordrheinische Ärtzeversorgung (NÄV), one of Germany's largest private pension funds. Under the terms of the mandate the commitment will be allocated to a globally diversified portfolio, with a focus on core/core plus investments and existing projects (brownfield investments). This mandate from NÄV takes GCP's funds under management in this asset class to over EUR1.5 billion.   The trend towards private-sector investment in public infrastructure remains unbroken. The consolidation of government budgets around the world means the state sector does not have the capital to fund

BNP Paribas Investment Partners (BNPP IP) and Orion Partners have formed a strategic partnership that brings together an Asia-focused alternative investment firm specialising in real estate and private equity, and an asset management specialist.  Under the terms of the transaction, BNPP IP – through its alternative and incubation specialist BNP Paribas Capital Partners (BNPP CP) – will acquire a minority stake in a new partnership based in Hong Kong. Orion Partners will continue to operate under its existing leadership and remain independent in all its businesses and investment decisions.    Going forward, BNPP CP and Orion Partners plan to develop

Shanghai-based QuanCheng has raised tens of millions of US Dollars in a Series B financing round led by Eight Roads along with participation from ClearVue Partners and Arbor Ventures. Eight Roads, the proprietary investment arm of Fidelity International, has an 18-year track record of investing in the Asia-Pacific region, and was one of the first investors in Alibaba. Arbor Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on the intersection of financial technology, big data and digital commerce, with an affinity for end markets in Asia, while ClearVue Partners was the lead investor in QuanCheng’s Series A financing round.  

Appleby Fiduciary Business (AFB) has completed its management buyout backed by private equity firm Bridgepoint from the Appleby Group. With immediate effect, AFB and the Appleby law firm are now two independent businesses. Farah Ballands, who will lead the AFB team as Chief Executive Officer, says: “AFB has grown significantly over the years with over 350 staff located across nine offshore jurisdictions. With Bridgepoint’s expertise and support we look forward to building on this success and investing in new infrastructure to give our clients an unrivalled standard of service.   “The Appleby Group has provided us with a solid foundation

Nasdaq and the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) are to form a jointly-operated venture to support private growth companies in Israel. The venture, which will operate out of Tel Aviv, will offer various benefits to private companies including strategic counselling and mentoring, exclusive networking, a secondary market for liquidity events and debt financing services. The private market will have an independent management team chosen by both exchanges. Further details of the venture will be announced during first half of 2016. In addition, Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange has entered into an agreement to deploy Nasdaq's Genium INET technology for trading across a variety of asset classes including equities, derivatives, bonds,

Omnes Capital is backing Le Village by CA, the first dedicated co-working space for new companies developed by the Crédit Agricole Group. Located on Rue de la Boétie in Paris, Le Village is intended to provide premises for around 100 start-ups and allow for the emergence of a dynamic ecosystem that creates value.   Le Village was designed as a place for sharing and creativity, structured around four main aims: to encourage the emergence of innovative projects and new talents; to help new businesses to implement their solutions and achieve commercial success; to promote, accelerate and disseminate innovation in all

Ipes has entered into an agreement with KPMG to provide investors with certain services, including developing and marketing services to support investors throughout the lifecycle of the funds in which they invest.  As the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) expands into the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the services will continue to grow to include client due diligence (CDD), investor relations and possibly some tax information reporting.  In 2014 Ipes worked with KPMG to build a FATCA service and all FATCA entity classifications that Ipes undertakes for their clients are verified by KPMG. Previously, KPMG had worked with Ipes to