Managers
Through the first six months of 2017, five private equity megafunds with USD5 billion or more in AUM did a final close, accumulating USD68 billion according to Pitchbook. Looking at the year in full, a report by McKinsey & Co found that of the USD750 billion in private market assets raised, US megafund buyouts accounted for 15 per cent; up from 7 per cent the previous year.
Overall, total assets raised by megafund buyouts rose 93 per cent to USD173.7 billion compared to middle-market buyouts, which attracted USD31.8 billion; up 7 per cent on the previous year.
These megafunds, operated by
Through June 2018, the total amount of dry powder within global private equity stood at USD1.09 trillion; a vast sum, up from USD1.03 trillion at the end of 2017 according to Preqin.
This makes for compelling headlines and has fuelled interest in private equity, to the extent that it has become arguably the most important alternative investment asset class. But in some ways, this volume of dry powder has become a double-edged sword; great news for managers launching new funds, but how to put this capital to work effectively?
Pierre Vinci (pictured) is Head of Origination, Asset Based Finance, ABN
The UK and France have proven strong markets for mid-market private equity managers through September/October, but as we reach the end of the year, and as Brexit uncertainty lingers three months out from the deadline, some believe the UK deal market, in particular, will soften in early 2019.
The Q4 buyout figures for the UK are not yet known but if one looks back at earlier in the year, they suggest that GP activity has been vibrant. In Q2, 58 UK buyout transactions were completed, the most since Q2 2008, while France was home to the highest volume of deals
YFM Equity Partners (YFM) has exited its investment in GTK Limited for GBP14.3 million, to Volex Plc, generating a return of 3.4x original cost to its funds and a 36 per cent IRR.
YFM supported the incumbent management team in the primary buyout of GTK from its founder in October 2013. During the past five years, YFM has seen invested revenues grow over 60 per cent and profits have more than doubled. The growth has been driven by continued investment in the UK sales team; the opening of a new sales office in Germany; a near doubling of manufacturing capacity in
Private equity firm ClearLight Partners has sold Pure Water Technology-PHSI (PHSI) to Quench USA, Inc (Quench), an operating segment of AquaVenture Holdings Limited (WAAS).
Headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, Pure Water Technology-PHSI is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers and marketers of point-of-use water purification coolers. The company’s products are distributed to commercial customers throughout the US via a network of over 90 dealers, and through a direct sales channel that includes regional branches as well as large, national accounts. PHSI’s bottle-less water coolers represent a simpler, cheaper and greener solution compared to traditional five-gallon water jugs.
ClearLight invested in
Burford Capital Limited, a global finance and investment management firm focussed on law, has announced new funding arrangements to facilitate its next USD1.6 billion in litigation finance investments.
The new capital will come from three sources: a sovereign wealth fund with which Burford has entered a strategic capital relationship; a new private investment fund; and the Company’s own balance sheet.
Christopher Bogart, Burford’s Chief Executive Officer, says: “Our success in being able to attract substantial long-term capital positions Burford to sustain its competitive advantage in the global legal finance industry. Burford’s unique ability to attract a large-scale commitment from
NTR has entered the French renewables market with the acquisition of two wind power projects together comprising just under 20MW and with a total capital investment of over EUR35 million.
NTR’s second sustainable infrastructure fund, NTR Renewable Energy Income Fund II, has acquired Bricqueville, an 8.8 MW project from RES, and Saint-Pierre-de-Juillers, a 10.2 MW project from BayWa r.e.
The 8.8 MW Bricqueville project is located in the Normandy region of France in the department of Calvados and is entering into production. Once fully operational, it will produce enough clean energy to power approximately 4,000 homes. This project is
Bregal Milestone, a European private capital firm, has completed an investment into Greenstorm, an innovative e-mobility and e-commerce company based in Kufstein, Austria.
The investment is made from a EUR400 million fund dedicated to investing in European growth companies. Bregal Milestone’s commitments typically range from EUR20 million to EUR60 million.
Greenstorm is a fast-growing provider of e-mobility services to close to 1,000 hotels, corporates and retailers in central Europe. The company operates a large fleet of e-bikes, allows its clients to equip customers and employees with high end e-bikes and electric vehicles and provides a comprehensive set of services.
Dillon Eustace has acted as adviser to the shareholders of Superior Storage, an Irish company based in Dunshaughlin specialising in file and document storage, on its sale to Iron Mountain, the US specialist in storing, protecting and managing information and assets.
The deal was for an undisclosed amount.
Dillon Eustace’s team was led by Lorcan Tiernan, Partner and Head of Corporate M&A, with the assistance of Sean Murray, Tax Partner and Philip Lea, Senior Associate.
Commenting on the deal, Lorcan Tiernan, Head of Corporate M&A, says: “We were delighted to have advised Superior Storage in all aspects
Ridgemont Equity Partners, a middle-market buyout and growth equity investor, has closed Ridgemont Equity Partners III with USD1.65 billion in commitments.
Fundraising for REP III launched with a target of USD1.25 billion and closed with excess demand, driven by strong support from existing limited partners combined with significant interest from new investors. The general partner also made a substantial commitment to the fund.


The formation of REP III allows Ridgemont to target investments ranging from USD50 million up to USD250 million and continue its focus on opportunities in four primary sectors: business and industrial services, energy, healthcare, and technology and
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
