James Taylor

The Carlyle Group has recruited North African specialist Hassan El-Khatib as a managing director to bolster its newly formed MENA team in Cairo.

The Canadian pension fund has enjoyed strong gains from its real estate and private equity investments, allowing it to post an overall return of 16.4 percent.

Bain Capital, Blackstone, Carlyle and KKR have signed up to the BVCA, a UK trade body, as the industry continues its charm offensive.

Apollo Management now has the financing in place to launch its £1 billion bid for UK estate agency chain Countrywide.

The UK-based placement agent has hired Clive Norton as a managing director.

Some of the world’s biggest alternative asset managers will be watching with interest tomorrow when Fortress Investment Group becomes the first US hedge fund and private equity group to float on the stock exchange tomorrow.

Liverpool has become the third English football club to come under US ownership, after accepting a £470 million takeover bid from US private equity veteran Tom Hicks and compatriot George Gillett. The deal will help the club finance a new stadium.

Blackstone has hit back at a rival consortium by sweetening its own offer for US real estate business Equity Office Properties, ahead of tomorrow’s crucial shareholder vote.

Dubai International Capital has withdrawn its proposed £450 million bid for Liverpool, English football’s most successful club side, after the board failed to agree to the terms of its buyout offer.

According to reports, US distressed debt specialist Cerberus may look to trump Blackstone’s $36bn offer for Equity Office, the biggest buyout to date.