Oliver Smiddy

European private equity activity collapsed to its lowest level in 15 years in the fourth quarter last year, highlighting the impact of all the economic uncertainty in the latter half of 2011.

UK-based financial services specialist AnaCap Financial Partners has met its target for its second credit opportunities fund, raising €318m in five months as investors eye opportunities to invest in European loans.

Kuwait-based NBK Capital continues to successfully realise investments, following its sale of Aras Cargo in December with the sale of Saudi Arabian group Hanco for a 2x return as the firm prepares to launch its next fundraising.

AAC Capital Partners has generated a 2.4x return on ventilation business Volution after finally concluding a protracted sale process with a £163m sale to TowerBrook.

Emerging markets-focused investment group Actis, which remains in negotiations with the UK government over the 40% of the business still owned by state agency DfID, has promoted three of its executives to partner.

Time is running out to cast your vote in the prestigious Private Equity International Awards 2011. Many of the races are incredibly close - so your vote could edge one firm, fund or advisor into the No. 1 spot.

Despite fears that the UK economy is teetering on the brink of recession, the country’s lower mid-market appears to be in good health, according to Lyceum Capital in conjunction with CASS Business School.

UK lower mid-market firm Lyceum Capital is about to launch its latest fund with a target of around £275m.

After a generally poor year for European venture capital firms, two groups have kicked off 2012 with positive fundraising news.

John Cryan, the former chief financial officer of Swiss investment bank UBS, has become the latest banking figure to join Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek.