Oliver Smiddy

The UK government-backed Business Growth Fund, chaired by Sir Nigel Rudd, will make £2.5bn available to invest in British SMEs.

The firm formerly known as Candover Partners has given 3i and its co-investor a roughly £200m exit on oil services group RBG, which fellow firm Montagu had previously been eyeing.

Bridgepoint has more than doubled its investment in consultancy Environmental Resources Management following its sale to private equity peer Charterhouse Capital Partners.

UK-listed 3i, which doubled its investment pace in the past year, set a new 15% benchmark for future returns but CEO Michael Queen reported results for the last financial year which fell short of that despite a successful reorganisation.

UK-based Bridgepoint and Paris-listed Eurazeo have joined forces for the first time to acquire European real estate management company Foncia.

Steve Belgrad has resigned to take up a senior position at the US asset management arm of insurance, savings and investment group Old Mutual.

Technology-focused Silver Lake Partners and its fellow investors in voice-over-internet protocol business Skype are set for a huge return following the company’s sale to technology group Microsoft.

Former Towerbrook Capital Partners managing director John Sinik has launched a debt fund management business which is hoping to raise at least €300m for its maiden vehicle.

Buyout firm Mediterra Capital Management has held a first close for its debut Turkey-focused private equity fund on €100m, one third of the way towards its target.

The firm is bolstering its investment teams in all three of its European offices as a signal of its commitment to the central and eastern European region, says partner Zbigniew Rekusz.