Bridgepoint’s announcement that it plans to undertake an IPO on the London Stock Exchange that could value the firm at around GBP2 billion sent waves of surprise through the City on Tuesday. As the London-based firm is taking the opportunity to capitalise on elevated valuations in the listed PE space, it’s viewed as a sign of health of the current equity markets.

Leigh Webb, director & head of PE sponsor coverage at British investment bank finnCap calls it a ‘rare turn of events’. “Investor interest in the public markets is growing however, highlighted by the volume of flotations coming out of private equity over the last six-12 months which we have not seen for some time,” he commented.