Jo Nash

Russian private equity firm Baring Vostok Capital Partners has raised a $1 billion buyout fund for investments in the former Soviet countries.

KKR’s Euronext-listed vehicle, KKR Private Equity Investors, has invested or committed $4.3 billion in just ten months, the firm said today.

Investcorp’s technology venture capital arm is buying a majority stake in UK online payments business Moneybookers for €105 million, realising some value for the current management team.

At least three private equity firms are reportedly preparing bids for Foxtons, a UK estate agency valued at more than £400 million, as founder Jon Hunt prepares to sell his stake in the business.

US hedge fund Polygon Investment Partners has reportedly increased its stake in UK estate agency Countrywide from 14.6 percent to 22.7 percent, threatening Apollo’s proposed take private of the company.

Amid the recent private equity interest in public offerings, Scottish venture firm Braveheart is to follow in the footsteps of US buyout giant Blackstone - albeit on a slightly smaller scale.

Swiss asset management firm LGT Capital Partners has reinforced its private equity teams in New York, Hong Kong and Switzerland.

Nordic private equity firm CapMan has bought market intelligence company Novintel, including a minority stake previously owned by UK-listed private equity firm 3i. It is 3i’s second Nordic exit of 2007.

Bridgepoint has bought UK retailer Fat Face from Advent International for £360 million, and the educational business of Wolters Kluwer for €728 million. The investments are the firm’s second and third of 2007.

US and UK buyout firm Hellman & Friedman has bought Kronos, a provider of human capital management solutions, in a deal valued at about $1.8 billion.