Sam Sutton

Shale energy remains attractive despite concerns regarding environmental impacts, First Reserve Corporation chairman William Macaulay said at an industry conference this week.

The firm has already picked up a $75m commitment from New Mexico’s State Investment Council, whose staff cited strong returns from Funds II and III.

The $10.8bn retirement system shook up its asset allocation mix at its last meeting, increasing its target to private equity to 12% of total assets.

Former Vestar Capital managing director Brian Ratzan has joined Pamplona Capital Management, where he will lead the firm’s expansion into the US private equity market.

Attacks on Mitt Romney and Bain Capital could force Republicans to compromise on a hike in tax on carried interest, a speaker at Private Equity International’s CFOs & COOs Forum said.

The partnership will make direct secondary investments in French private equity, with a focus on venture capital, leveraged buyouts and growth capital.

Brown Brothers’ oversubscribed fourth fund managed to generate commitments from all of its previous vehicle’s institutional investors.

After beating its original $3bn target, the firm has raised its sights for its oversubscribed sixth fund by $500m.

Golden Gate portfolio company US Silica is expecting to raise around $243.5m for its public float, pricing the company between $16 and $18 per share.

Yellow Wood Partners has closed its debut fund above its $200m target with capital from a select group of limited partners. The firm said deal and monitoring fees are a 'burden' to portfolio companies and it will not charge them.