Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Leadership Moves & Promotions
Sverica pehub.com promoted Michael Dougherty to partner and Doug Patrican to principal, while also hiring Matt Johnson as a principal. DPI pehub.com named Sofiane Lahmar as its new CEO, with Lahmar serving as a senior partner since 2010. Astorg pehub.com is losing mid-cap co-head Edouard Pillot, with Lionel de Posson taking sole control of the team.
Major Takeover Bids
BlackRock's GIP and EQT pe-insights.com are in advanced discussions to acquire US power producer AES in a potential $12.4 billion deal. Blackstone, CVC and Brookfield pe-insights.com submitted preliminary bids valuing Volkswagen's diesel engine unit Everllence at around €8 billion. Advent International pe-insights.com is among potential bidders for Senior plc, which disclosed five takeover offers totaling $1.78 billion. Advent pe-insights.com also finalized its acquisition of Southeast Europe's fast-growing tbi bank after receiving European regulatory clearance.
Private Equity Investments
Searchlight and Abry pehub.com agreed to take IoT company Kore private for $726 million at $9.25 per share. Multiples-backed Zenex Animal Health pehub.com acquired Netherlands-based Vieve Pharm, recognized for phytogenic formulations in livestock and pet care markets. Wise Equity pehub.com will invest in vending machine manufacturer FAS International, which closed 2025 with revenues exceeding €58 million and EBITDA margin above 20 percent. Falfurrias-backed Woven Solutions pehub.com acquired government consultancy Valence, a Reston, Virginia-based provider of software for the national security community.
Fundraising & Market Trends
Fund Friday pe-insights.com highlighted top fundraising news in private equity, including FS KKR Capital Corporation reporting increased troubled loans and lower fourth-quarter performance. KKR's $13 billion FSK fund pe-insights.com is adapting to the shifting private credit landscape. A Blackstone private credit fund pe-insights.com priced a $400 million 2029 bond amid software market volatility. Calpers pe-insights.com remains confident in its private credit exposure despite rising AI-driven software risks in the $1.8 trillion market.
Strategic Reviews & Exits
Quantum Switch Tamasuk pe-insights.com is evaluating strategic options including a potential sale of its Saudi AI operations amid growing buyout interest in the Saudi AI boom. Searchlight and Abry's take-private of Kore represents another exit in the IoT sector. FS KKR Capital Corporation continues to navigate challenges in the private credit market.
Industry Events & Insights
PE Hub's NEXUS conference pehub.com revealed key takeaways including concerns about "zombie" portfolio companies and the influence of "Goldman handful" alumni in private equity. The conference highlighted growing interest in hospice care platforms, with Kinderhook, Renovus and Revelstoke pehub.com among firms pursuing investments in this space.
Regional Market Activity
European private equity activity includes the BlackRock-GIP EQT AES bid, Blackstone-CVC-Brookfield Everllence offers, and Advent's tbi bank acquisition. US activity features Sverica's promotions, Searchlight-Abry's Kore deal, and Zenex's Vieve Pharm acquisition. Middle East interest is growing in Saudi AI assets, while Asia-Pacific markets remain active through various strategic reviews and investment opportunities.