Oliver Smiddy

Teachers' Private Capital is understood to have paid Altor Equity Partners more than $300m for a 75% stake in Helly Hansen.

Gatekeeper Altius Associates has held a first close for its second fund of funds on $50m after three months on the fundraising trail.

The firm has agreed the sale of fashion brand Valentino to a Qatari investment group for about €700m, as it raises its fifth buyout fund, which is targeting €6.5bn and is yet to hold a first close.

N+1 and Mercapital, two of the Spanish private equity industry’s most venerable firms, have merged to create a new manager that will hit the fundraising trail next year.

Private equity represents the second-largest segment within the alternative asset class behind real estate, according to a survey of the world’s top 100 alternatives managers - who together manage $3,136 billion.

Swiss listed fund of funds group Private Equity Holding has elected a representative from activist investor Mantra Investissement to its board and vowed to continue its distribution policy.

HgCapital has booked a 3.1x return following the sale of human resources company SHL, as it emerged the buyout group's chairman, Ian Armitage, will retire in November.

Deutsche Beteiligungs and Equity Capital Management have each held closes for their latest Germany-focused funds, having garnered a combined €681m in commitments.

Equity Group Investments, a private equity vehicle backed by billionaire investor Sam Zell, is targeting $1bn for its next fund, which will focus on distressed debt.

The Carlyle Group has acquired the company which owns Italian womenswear brand Twin Set Simona Barbieri in a deal understood to be worth between €250m and €300m.