Articles by Tim Burroughs
Partners Group consortium seals Australia PPP rail project
A consortium featuring Partners Group and a string of strategic investors has won the tender to operate Sydney’s North West Rail Link, Australia’s largest public transport infrastructure project and one of the biggest public-private partnerships (PPP)...
Lazard PE buys majority stake in Australia’s Skybridge
Lazard Australia Private Equity has acquired a majority interest in Skybridge, an Australian satellite broadband services provider, for an undisclosed sum.
Alibaba sets terms for $21.8b IPO
Alibaba Group will raise $21.8 billion in its IPO after pricing shares at the top end of the indicative range. The Chinese internet company could end up with as much as $25 billion if the overallotment option is fully exercised.
KKR to up stake in Indonesia's Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food
KKR will acquire a further 10% of Indonesian rice and noodle producer Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food (TPSF) for IDR658 billion ($55 million). The PE firm first invested in TPSF last year, representing its first deal in Indonesia.
Korea’s SMBA to form VC fund with DFJ, Walden
Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and Walden International have agreed to set up a $150 million venture capital fund with South Korea’s Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA).
Australian VC firm Square Peg plans global push
Square Peg Capital, the Australia-based venture capital firm founded by the co-founder of job search site Seek is looking to expand overseas, with plans to invest up to A$100 million a year in Israel and the US.
CalPERS names new CIO
California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has announced Ted Eliopoulos as its new chief investment officer. He currently occupies the role in an interim capacity, having previously served as senior investment officer for real assets.
Hong Kong Jockey Club boosts alternatives investments
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has substantially increased its investments in alternative assets as part of efforts to diversify its holdings and achieve stronger returns.
JD.com, Macquarie commit $50m to China food-ordering site Daojia
Chinese food-ordering platform Daojia has completed a Series D round of funding worth $50 million, led by domestic online retailer JD.com and Macquarie Capital.
SAI Global process ends with no full buyout offer
SAI Global, the Australian risk management and standards compliance business that launched a sale process after receiving a A$1.1 billion ($1 billion) buyout offer from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), has received no final bids for the entire company.
Q&A: United Overseas Bank's Wee Yap Yeo
United Overseas Bank (UOB) has teamed up with Orix Corp. to launch a $200 million Southeast Asia mezzanine fund. Wee Yap Yeo, head of mezzanine capital at UOB, explains the strategy
Mekong delivers golden return
As office workers clock off in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vuvuzela outlets begin to fill up. It was supposed to be a Hooters-style casual dining chain – and the female staff dress accordingly – but Vuvuzela has morphed into a very local beer club....
Aggressive demand for aggressive chemicals
Tankers used to ship chemicals require a degree of customization. Smaller than normal tankers, they are divided into self-contained compartments so that cargoes can be loaded without any mixing. There may also be specialized heating systems to keep chemicals...
LeapFrog jumps to $400m fundraise
“Emerging consumers across Africa and Asia are working to achieve prosperity and security for their families and businesses, but most have yet to reach the middle class. There is an immense demand for transformative financial tools,” says Andrew Kuper,...
China short-selling: Short shrift?
“The chairman just threatened to have me killed.” Delivered in a panicked voice, the statement brought proceedings to a standstill. As it happened, the meeting had been convened to share the news of my imminent departure with staff. But my bombshell...
KKR completes privatization of Singapore's Goodpack
KKR has completed the S$1.4 billion ($1.1 billion) acquisition of intermediate bulk container (IBC) manufacturer Goodpack. The company delisted from the Singapore Exchange on September 15.
Anchorage fully exits Dick Smith Electronics with 4x return
Anchorage Capital Partners has exited the remainder of its stake in Australian electronics retailer Dick Smith Holdings, generating a more than 4x return on its investment after a two-year holding period.
Alibaba ups IPO price range, could raise $25b
The Alibaba Group IPO will now be worth up to $25 billion after the Chinese e-commerce giant raised the indicative price range for the offering. It is now all but certain to supplant Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) as the largest IPO ever seen.
KKR to buy majority stake in Japanese DJ equipment business
KKR has agreed to buy Japanese electronics manufacturer Pioneer Corporation’s DJ equipment division for around JPY59 billion ($551 million). Pioneer will retain a minority interest in the business.
Tianhe denies fraud allegations, MSPEA offers full support
Tianhe Chemicals has issued a point-by-point rebuttal of allegations that it made false statements in its IPO prospectus, with second-largest investor Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) declaring its full support.
Fosun, Ardian bring in Jiuding for improved Club Med offer
Fosun International and Ardian Private Equity have reactivated their interest in French-based vacation resorts operator Club Méditerranée (Club Med), forming a new consortium that includes Chinese GP Jiuding Capital and Hong Kong Utour International...
SCPE, Tiger Group invest $95m in chemical tanking venture
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) and specialist maritime investor Tiger Group Investments have agreed to commit $95 million to Greathorse Chemical, which owns and operates a fleet of chemical tanker vessels.
PEP, KKR target SAI Global extends bid deadline
Australian risk management and standards compliance business SAI Global – which is subject to a takeover bid from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and KKR – has extended the deadline for other offers.
SCPE backs Vietnam's Golden Gate, Mekong secures 9x exit
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has acquired a significant minority stake in Golden Gate, a Vietnam-based restaurant operator, for $35 million. The investment has allowed existing backer Mekong Capital to make a full exit with a net multiple...