Fund Management

The central Europe mezzanine specialist has held a first close on its debut fund as it looks to capitalise on the favourable conditions for mezzanine investors. The fund has raised just under half of its €125 million target.

Och-Ziff, one of the world’s largest hedge fund managers, will become the latest alternative asset manager to tap the public markets after revealing plans for a possible flotation on the New York Stock exchange.

The hotly contested auction for cable company Virgin Media may be facilitated by shareholder Sir Richard Branson, while the number of reportedly interested bidders continues to increase.

The Italian real estate investment firm has teamed with Unicredit Bank to create two new regional branches that will target residential development projects.

City of London veteran Paul Myners has given UK private equity a boost by telling the Treasury Select Committee not to recommend further regulation of the industry. However, he took a less sympathetic view of practitioners’ current tax treatment.

Litorina Kapital has bought Securia Systems, a personal insurance and protection company that has enjoyed 90 percent sales growth over the last two years.

As ratings agency Standard & Poor’s criticises covenant loose loans for being covenant-lite by the backdoor, a senior banker tells Toby Lewis cov-lite loans will become extinct.

Seol-based Jong Won Lee and Yuchul Rhim have become managing directors at the Silicon Valley-headquartered H&QAP.

Venture debt provider Kreos Capital has strengthened its senior team with the recruitment of Luca Colciago from Noble as a partner. The hire comes as the firm continues to invest its latest fund, which was closed in April and is being deployed at a rapid rate.

Alvarez & Marsal builds China team * Watson Wyatt appoints Sydney specialist * IFC appoints new South Asia head * NEA promotes six * Vestar Japan completes line-up * H&Q Asia Pacific promotes two in Seoul * Deutsche hires former Temasek director * CVC poaches Keeble from UBS