Boston-based private equity firm Berkshire Partners has appointed Sharlyn C Heslam and Elizabeth L Hoffman (pictured) as Managing Directors effective January 1, 2011. They join the twelve current Managing Directors of Berkshire in managing the firm and its affiliated investment funds. Heslam, who is the firm’s General Counsel, joined Berkshire Partners in 2006 to manage legal matters relating to Berkshire’s investment processes and operations. Prior to joining Berkshire, she was a corporate partner in the Boston office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges where she represented leading private equity firms in a wide variety of transactions. Heslam received a BA from

Mistral Equity Partners, a private equity firm specialising in the consumer and retail sectors, has promoted three members of its investment team.   Griffin Whitney and Christopher Bradley have both been promoted to principal, and Elizabeth Nations has been promoted to senior associate. “We are delighted to recognise Griffin, Chris and Beth for their hard work and outstanding performance,” says Andrew Heyer, chief executive officer and a managing director of Mistral. “In addition to their individual strengths in identifying successful investment opportunities, they are great team members whose contributions and leadership will continue to be invaluable to our success over

Green Courte Partners, a private equity investment firm targeting niche real estate sectors, has promoted Sirina R. Jimenez and Antonia A. Anagnostopoulos to vice president and Jordan T. Kerger to senior associate.  Since joining Green Courte in July 2006, Jimenez has made significant contributions to the firm’s land-lease community portfolio where she has helped to optimise the operating performance of the portfolio and implement value-add strategies.  As vice president, due diligence, Jimenez will be responsible for the completion of due diligence of Green Courte’s new investments. Anagnostopoulos joined Green Courte in June 2008. Since joining the firm, she has helped

Private equity-backed absence management company FirstCare has appointed Richard Burrell, one of the health sector’s leading investors, as non-executive chairman. Following a career in investment banking and property fund management, Burrell founded Assura, a listed provider of primary care buildings and services.  Earlier this year, Burrell led the disposal of a 75 per cent interest in Assura Medical to the Virgin Group.  Burrell has also served as a non executive director of Stobart Group following its acquisition by the Westbury Property Fund in August 2007, a property fund founded and managed by Burrell.  In September 2010, Burrell formed Mathieson Capital,

Fortress Investment Group has appointed David Barry as a member of the company’s board, effective 1 January 2011. Barry will serve as a class I director. The board has also appointed Barry to its audit committee and nominating, corporate governance and conflicts committee. Barry will replace Howard Rubin, who will resign from the board, as well as the audit committee and the compensation committee, effective as of 1 January. The board of directors has also elected not to pay a dividend in the fourth quarter of 2010. The board elected to retain capital for potential future investment opportunities and for

Samena Capital has appointed Ekaterina Sharashidze as an executive director focusing on strategy and business development. She will lead Samena Capital’s efforts in identifying direct investment opportunities and evaluating new strategic partnerships.   Sharashidze brings with her over 15 years of business experience in management consulting, venture capital and investment banking. She served in the Government of Georgia for five years, holding several high level cabinet positions such as minister of economic development, head of the administration of the President and chief economic adviser to the President.   “I’m delighted to welcome Ekaterina into the Samena Capital family. Our business

The Chicago office of law firm K&L Gates has appointed Robert V. Fitzsimmons as a partner in the firm’s real estate investment, development and finance practice. He joins K&L Gates from Mayer Brown.   Fitzsimmons has extensive experience advising investment entities, banks and not-for-profit organisations in their real estate asset transactions involving cross-border and offshore structures, private equity funds, equity ventures, public and private real estate investment trusts and debt issuances. He has counselled on the financing and development of all major asset classes, including industrial parks, corporate headquarters, and retail, residential, and resort projects. In addition, he frequently provides

Elysian Capital, a private equity fund specialising in the UK lower mid-market, has hired James Cunningham as an operating partner. He will work alongside the investment teams in sourcing, assessing and completing acquisitions, and also in advising and mentoring management teams in Elysian Capital’s investee companies. His role will be to supplement the work of existing operating partner and Elysian chairman Chai Patel. Cunningham has extensive industry experience, having worked at Bunzl from 1995 to 1999 and then again from 2002 to 2009, latterly as managing director, Bunzl UK and Ireland. From 1999 to 2002, Cunningham was chief operating officer