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The Wire

Private equity deal news and insights from the London newsroom

May 1, 2025

 

PE firms find portco revenue bump through AI; KKR, ICG go after GlobalData; Eurazeo picks up more shares in French AM

Good morning, Nina Lindholm here with the Europe Wire from the London newsroom.

 

Artificial intelligence is making waves across all industries, but how is private equity keeping up? Pictet Alternative Advisors surveyed PE general partners to learn whether firms already have an AI strategy in place and what barriers there are in adopting the technology. We’ll dive into those figures this morning.

 

Sticking with data, we have a potential deal, as KKR and ICG are in preliminary talks with the UK’s GlobalData.

 

We then delve into another report, this time on wealth management. Investment bank Lincoln International listed key trends in the UK wealth management sector – I’ll share some highlights from the report.

 

We stick with financial services to finish, as Eurazeo has acquired the remaining shares in an asset management business specializing in biotechnology and medical innovation.

 

AI impact

Two thirds (68 percent) of private equity general partners expect AI to reduce their costs of doing business and more than 60 percent report a revenue increase in their portfolio companies as a result of the technology, according to a survey by Pictet Alternative Advisors (PAA).

 

To learn what percentage of respondents use AI in processes already and what barriers PE firms raised in the survey, check out the premium Wire coverage.

 

In talks

ICG and KKR are vying with one another to take GlobalData, a London-headquartered and listed data and analytics provider, private.

 

To learn the schedule for firm offers and more, take a look at the full Wire coverage.

 

Wealth of opportunity

The UK’s addressable wealth management market is valued at over £2 trillion ($2.6 trillion; €2.3 trillion), with approximately 30 percent serviced through the financial advice sector, according to Lincoln International.

 

If you'd like to know what role AI plays in the segment and what Lincoln's outlook for UK wealth management is, take a look at the premium Wire.

 

Managing health

Sticking with financial services but hopping over to France. Eurazeo has acquired the remaining shares in Kurma Partners, an asset management company specializing in biotechnology and medical innovation.

 

For more, including how much Eurazeo has committed to Kurma funds so far, take a look at the full Wire coverage.

 

That’s all from me. Keep an eye out for the US Wire later today by Michael Schoeck. Irien Joseph is in the Europe chair as usual tomorrow.

 

Cheers,

Nina

 

Read the full Wire commentary on PE Hub ...

Today's must reads

> Q1 2025: Deal activity dips as uncertainties rise More...
> Northrim Horizon's Crawford Gates: 'There's a nearly unlimited supply of attractive services themes' More...
> Kline Hill seeks to leverage TA’s expertise as it sells minority stake More...
> Exclusive: 'The war for talent' leads HGGC to buy Equity Methods More...
> Turn/River eyes add-on deals for SolarWinds after $4.4bn take-private acquisition More...

Also of note (may require subscriptions)

 

Vista Equity raises ~$4bn in first close for Cloud Software single-asset CV: Part of Vista Equity's contribution to the deal will come through its private wealth channel, a source says. (Buyouts)

 

Moelis hires ex-Manulife duo in secondaries advisory bulk-up: Paul Sanabria and Jeff Hammer will return to their advisory roots as part of the investment bank's 'aggressive' push. (Secondaries Investor) 

 

‘Investors sometimes struggle to move from concept to execution,’ says US LP. Connecticut-based CF Private Equity has deployed almost $25bn since the firm’s inception in 1988. Its real assets leaders Dan Connell and Ethan Levine discuss how the LP is moving forward in uncertain times. (Infrastructure Investor) 

 

Phoenix Group’s real estate head exits after team merger: The departure came after the biggest UK life and pensions provider combined its infrastructure and property teams and appointed Manuel Dusina as head of real assets. (PERE) 

 

Asset managers ‘crying out’ for asset owner leadership on responsible investment, says PRI’s Atkin:Managers also under the spotlight for voting direction on climate proposals. (Responsible Investor) 

Deals

> Gyrus Capital closes €700 million continuation vehicle for Essential Pharma More...
> ICG and KKR make preliminary offers for GlobalData More...
> Eurazeo picks up remaining stake in Kurma Partners More...
> YFM Equity backs management buyout of The Networking People More...
> Livonia Partners to invest in Estonia's Medicum Group More...
> BlackRock-backed Influence Media Partners invests in DJ Khaled's music catalog More...
People
> Brightstar Capital taps Marcelo Claure as partner and co-chair More...
> Northrim Horizon's Crawford Gates: 'There's a nearly unlimited supply of attractive services themes' More...
> JFLCO appoints Stanley Deal to operating executive board More...

They said it

“By seeing AI companies now starting to deliver great results with much less computing power, we expect more businesses to benefit from adopting the technology. This transition from manufacturers to users sets the stage for the next wave of AI growth, opening a wider set of investment opportunities.”

— Stanislas Chanavat, principal thematics, private equity, PAA, on private equity and AI

 

Today's letter was prepared by Nina Lindholm

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