Graphite Capital
| Company type | UK LLP |
|---|---|
| Industry | Private Equity |
| Predecessor | Foreign & Colonial Ventures Ltd. |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Key people | Rod Richards |
| Products | Investments, private equity funds |
| Total assets | £800 million |
| Website | www.graphitecapital.com |
Graphite Capital is a private equity firm focused on mid-market leveraged buyout investments, primarily in the UK. The group manages around £800 million for institutional investors, with the most recent fund raising just over £500 million.[1] Originally the fund closed on £475 million of investor commitments in September 2013. Since 1991, the firm has backed almost 100 management teams through various investments.
The firm previously housed a fund of funds platform that invested in other private equity funds across Europe and the US, which was sold to Intermediate Capital Group in February 2016.[2] The firm has managed private equity funds since 1981 and in 2001 became fully independent.
The firm has a single office at Berkeley Square House in Berkeley Square in London's West End. The firm's Managing Partner is Rod Richards, who joined in 1986.
History
Foreign & Colonial Enterprise Trust, a UK listed vehicle, was the first fund to be managed by Graphite Capital. It was established in 1981 with a £10 million initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The firm has raised and managed eight listed and unlisted funds to date.
Graphite was originally part of F&C Asset Management and was known as Foreign & Colonial Ventures Ltd. The firm remained a subsidiary of F&C Asset Management until 2000, when the Graphite team completed a management buyout.[3][4][5]
Investments
The firm is currently investing its eighth fund, which has backed the following companies:
- City & County Healthcare[6]
- ICR Group[7]
- nGAGE Specialist Recruitment (formerly Human Capital Investment Group)[8]
- Aero Technics Group[9]
- New World Trading Company[10]
- Beck & Pollizter[11]
Graphite's seventh fund, which was raised in 2007 and invested until 2013, backed companies including:
- Kurt Geiger
- Education Personnel[12]
- Alexander Mann Solutions[13]
- National Fostering Agency
- London Square[14]
- Willowbrook Healthcare[15]
The seventh fund still holds investments in companies including:
- U-POL[16]
- Explore Learning
- Hawksmoor
- Corbin & King (formerly Rex Restaurants)[17]
The firm sold the Groucho Club in July 2015 to a group of investors including Alcuin Capital Partners.[18]
Other exits include Dominion Oil & Gas[19] and NES Group.[20]
References
- ^ http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/318deacc-2516-11e3-9b22-00144feab7de.html#axzz45svz71Dk
- ^ http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2015/12/24/235086/graphite-capital-sells-fund-investment-business-intermediate-capital-group
- ^ F&C Ventures bought out by management. Money Marketing, April 26, 2001
- ^ Management to buy F&C Ventures. The Telegraph, Apr 22, 2001
- ^ F&C Ventures becomes Graphite Capital. Investments & Pensions Europe, Apr 24, 2001
- ^ http://www.healthinvestor.co.uk/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=3084
- ^ http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2014/03/14/198661/graphite-capital-backs-icr-mbo
- ^ http://realdeals.eu.com/article/47569-graphite-backs-mbo-of-hcig
- ^ https://realdeals.eu.com/article/49862
- ^ http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Living-Ventures-New-World-Trading-Company-sold-to-Graphite-Capital
- ^ http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2016/09/20/243799/graphite-capital-acquires-industrial-installation-specialist-beck-pollitzer
- ^ http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2014/05/12/201924/graphite-capital-sells-supply-teaching-specialist-education-personnel-icg
- ^ http://www.recruitment-international.co.uk/news/graphite-capital-sells-alexander-mann-solutions-for-260m-20600.htm
- ^ http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2014/07/04/206130/graphite-sells-london-square-ares-management-gbp100m
- ^ http://www.healthinvestor.co.uk/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=2904
- ^ http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/38672-graphite-capital-backs-130m-u-pol-buy-out/
- ^ http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/news-and-market-deals/fundraising-deals/2100448/graphite-supports-rex-restaurants-expansion-plans.thtml
- ^ Cotterill, Joseph (18 June 2015). "Groucho Club sold by private equity firm". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- ^ http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/news-and-market-deals/mergers-and-acquisitions/2368468/dominion-gas-sale-sees-graphite-capital-hit-four-exits-in-12-months.thtml
- ^ http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2012/10/05/174289/graphite-capital-sells-nes-global-talent
- FN Profile: Graphite Capital goes organic with strategy for Wagamama. Financial News, Sep 13, 2004
- Graphite's considered approach. Growth Business UK, February 6, 2007
External links
- Graphite Capital (company website)
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