Fundraising

Distressed debt funds are attracting a lot of capital at the moment. But with banks apparently in denial about the extent of their problems, deals remain thin on the ground

US law firms have been luring fund specialists away from their European rivals as they look to establish a greater foothold in the region. But don’t write off the old guard yet. Claire Coe Smith reports

The storm over Europe is tearing into investment strategies across the continent. However, the private equity opportunity in Germany, according to three market insiders, remains intact.

The investment management arm of the global insurer has poached a team of executives from Trifinium Advisors, led by Deborah Zurkow, to provide its institutional clients with access to infrastructure debt. The focus will, initially, be on Europe.

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.

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.

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.

Hadrian’s Wall clinched a £160m first close after more than two years on the fundraising trail. Now it needs a few deals to show investors that its plan to kick-start capital markets infrastructure investment is viable, Bruno Alves reports

With strained government budgets, sales of state assets are high on the agenda in Australia – and local infrastructure professionals are rubbing their hands together in anticipation of an acceleration in deal flow. Andy Thomson was in Sydney to hear views on this as well as other topical themes such as the supply of debt finance and how to hone the PPP model.

The prospect for infrastructure investment in Australia is a story in three parts – resources, general urban development and, potentially, agribusiness, suggests Brian McDonald.