Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Private Equity Awards & Leadership Changes
Goldman Sachs Asset Management secondariesinvestor.com was named Secondaries Buyer of the Year in the Americas while Ardian secondariesinvestor.com took the same title in EMEA at the Secondaries Awards 2025. The Asia-Pacific winners were also announced, highlighting top performers across the region. DPI pehub.com appointed Sofiane Lahmar as its new CEO, promoting him from senior partner since 2010. Sverica pehub.com promoted Michael Dougherty to partner and Doug Patrican to principal, while also hiring Matt Johnson as a principal.
Major Takeover Bids & Acquisitions
BlackRock's GIP pe-insights.com and EQT are in advanced discussions for a potential $12.4 billion takeover of US power producer AES. Blackstone pe-insights.com, CVC and Brookfield submitted preliminary bids valuing Volkswagen's diesel engine unit Everllence at around €8 billion. Advent International pe-insights.com is among five potential bidders for Senior plc, which disclosed £1.78 billion in takeover interest. Advent pe-insights.com finalized its acquisition of Southeast Europe's fast-growing tbi bank after receiving European regulatory clearance. Searchlight Capital Partners pehub.com and Abry Partners agreed to take IoT company Kore private for $726 million at $9.25 per share. Falfurrias Capital Partners pehub.com-backed Woven Solutions acquired government consultancy Valence, a Reston, Virginia-based provider of national security software.
Fundraising & Investment Activity
FS KKR Capital Corporation pe-insights.com, a publicly traded private credit vehicle managed by KKR, reported increased troubled loans and lower fourth-quarter performance. KKR's pe-insights.com $13 billion FSK fund is adapting to the shifting private credit landscape. Blackstone's pe-insights.com private credit fund priced a $400 million 2029 bond amid software market volatility. CalPERS pe-insights.com remains confident in its $1.8 trillion private credit exposure despite rising AI-driven software risks. Wise Equity pehub.com announced an investment in vending machine manufacturer FAS International, which closed 2025 with revenues exceeding €58 million and EBITDA margin above 20 percent. Multiples pehub.com-backed Zenex Animal Health acquired Netherlands-based Vieve Pharm, recognized for its expertise in phytogenic formulations for livestock, equine, and pet care markets.
Strategic Moves & Market Trends
Quantum Switch Tamasuk pe-insights.com is evaluating strategic options including a potential sale as Saudi Arabia's AI boom draws buyout interest. PE firms pehub.com including Kinderhook, Renovus and Revelstoke are pursuing investments in the growing hospice care platforms market. Astorg pehub.com's mid-cap co-head Edouard Pillot will leave the firm, with Lionel de Posson taking sole control of the team. Industry takeaways from the NEXUS conference included discussions about the "Goldman handful" and concerns about a potential "zombie apocalypse" in the sector.