Matthieu Favas
The Gimv / Belfius joint venture will complement its fund manager activities with the financing of infrastructure projects from its balance sheet.
The acquisition comes shortly after Carlyle held a final close for its Strategic Partners III fund.
A boost in refinancings saw the UK private equity market raise €7.4bn of debt in the first half of 2013 – up 73% on last year.
.jpg "JC Flowers to buy £450m of loans from Northern Rock")
The firm is expected to pay about £300m for the book of unsecured loans, five years after submitting a failed bid for the whole of the nationalised UK lender.
.jpg "CDC appoints Africa regional director")
The development finance specialist has hired a former IFC executive to fill the newly created role, as it seeks to accelerate its move towards direct debt and equity investing in Africa.
.jpg "Apax’s Cengage files for Chapter 11")
Apax doubled down on its investment, buying up debt in the publisher, but now faces increased losses.
.jpg "UK refinancing hits record highs")
Open debt markets have allowed PE-backed companies to refinance £7.6bn worth of loans this year.
.jpg "Warburg and GA seal €2bn Santander carve-out")
The two private equity veterans have acquired 50% of the Spanish lender’s €152bn asset management business.
The sale marks the third exit in 12 months for the UK firm, which is expected to raise Fund V this year.
A concerted effort by big corporates to raise ‘fast cash’ – as evidenced in a new Ernst & Young study – could have tangible benefits for private equity firms.