Oliver Smiddy

AXA Private Equity’s chief operating officer, Christophe Florin, has left the firm. He is set to join the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, as the sovereign fund continues to bulk up its private equity team.

Inflexion Private Equity has tapped a trio of executives including Shanghai-based Xuan Ye (pictured) to help its portfolio companies develop links with Brazil, China and India.

Stephen Pagliuca, managing director at Bain Capital, delivered a keynote address at PEI’s Capital Connect: MENA 2012 conference in Dubai, arguing that the future for the region looked bright.

The turbulent economic environment in Europe and uncertainty over the outcome of the forthcoming French presidential election led LBO France to delay the launch of its next mid-market fund.

Oaktree’s eargerly-awaited IPO priced at the bottom of its range and failed to sell as many shares as planned, raising $387m. For Carlyle, set to begin its IPO roadshow next week, the lacklustre demand will give it pause for thought.

French private equity group Qualium Investissement is poised to hold a final close for its latest buyout fund on €520m after bowing to pressure from some LPs not to raise significantly more.

Investors are waiting longer for distributions from the managers they back, according to research by placement agent Triago, as general partners delay exits until markets improve.

The spin-out of AXA Private Equity from its French insurer parent has faltered due to structuring issues, according to sources close to the situation.

HSBC has sold its remaining 19.9% stake in Montagu Private Equity nine years after the mid-market buyout group spun out from the bank.

European buyout firm Cognetas, whose co-founder Nigel McConnell left last year, has re-branded as Motion Equity Partners.