Private Equity 3 Hours

Last updated: April 7, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Private Equity Leadership & Appointments

H.I.G. Capital confirmed the promotion of long-time executive Brian Schwartz to Chief Executive Officer, advancing its leadership transition, while Doug Berman, head of US private equity, earned a concurrent promotion to co-president, serving alongside Rick Rosen in the new structure. Separately, Round Hill bolstered its senior ranks by appointing Chad Doerge as president and deputy CEO, bringing in Doerge from his prior role as president and chief revenue officer at Aiera to the firm. These personnel movements underscore continued executive reshaping across major private equity players navigating current market complexities.

Dealmaking Activity & Sector Focus

Gamut's planned acquisition of Acousti Engineering Company from Ardian signals interest in specialized construction services, as Acousti provides key ceiling, drywall, and flooring solutions for commercial markets across the Southeastern US. This follows activity in adjacent sectors where firms like Sound Growth Partners, Norea Capital, Bertram Capital, and Soundcore Capital Partners are identifying opportunities within the broader roofing services industry for 2026 deals. Further demonstrating platform building, Heartwood-backed VitalSpace acquired manufacturer BIG Enterprises, intending to integrate the business into its modular solutions platform for further expansion.

Credit Markets & Alternative Capital Flows

As liquidity conditions tighten for some borrowers, Morgan Stanley is preparing to launch a new private credit vehicle aimed at capturing opportunities arising from the current market squeeze facing heightened liquidity demands. This move contrasts with wealth managers increasingly targeting early-stage technology, as family offices are reportedly bypassing traditional venture capital mechanisms to secure direct exposure to AI startups, effectively turning passive investments into direct, riskier bets. Meanwhile, Black Bay provided a capital infusion to Gulf Coast Midstream Partners, specifically earmarked to advance Phase I of the Nash Energy Storage Hub, indicating continued PE interest in energy infrastructure financing.

Industry Events & Investor Engagement

Investors and dealmakers are being alerted that the window is closing to secure discounted passes for Tech Crunch Disrupt 2026, with savings of up to $482 disappearing after April 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. This event timing coincides with ongoing industry recognition, as exemplified by the recent profiling of Yangge Seaman and Julia Wittlin in the Women in PE: Class of 2026 report celebrating industry leaders.