Graphite Capital

Graphite Capital is a private equity firm focused on mid-market leveraged buyout investments, primarily in the UK. The group manages around £800 million for institutional investors, with the most recent fund raising just over £500 million.^[1] Since 1991, the firm has backed almost 100 management teams through various investments.

Until February 2016, the firm managed a listed investment trust, Graphite Enterprise Trust, a diversified private equity fund of funds platform. The management contract was transferred to Intermediate Capital Group.^[2]

The firm has managed private equity funds since 1981 and in 2001 became fully independent. The firm has a single office at Berkeley Square House in Berkeley Square in London's West End. The firm's Managing Partner is Rod Richards, who joined in 1986.

History

Foreign & Colonial Enterprise Trust, a UK listed vehicle, was the first fund to be managed by Graphite Capital. It was established in 1981 with a £10 million initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The firm has raised and managed eight listed and unlisted funds to date.

Graphite was originally part of F&C Asset Management and was known as Foreign & Colonial Ventures Ltd. The firm remained a subsidiary of F&C Asset Management until 2001, when the Graphite team completed a management buyout.^[3][4][5]

Investments

The firm is currently investing its eighth fund, which has backed the following companies:

- City & County Healthcare - a provider of home care services in the UK^[6]

- ICR Group - a provider of repair and maintenance services to the energy sector^[7]

- nGAGE Specialist Recruitment (formerly Human Capital Investment Group) - a recruitment business serving a range of niche areas within the public and private sectors^[8]

- Aero Technics Group - a civil aircraft maintenance business focusing on cabin services^[9]

- New World Trading Company - a pub restaurant group^[10]

- Beck & Pollitzer - an industrial machinery installation and relocation specialist^[11]

Graphite's seventh fund, which was raised in 2007^[12] and invested until 2013, backed companies including:

- Kurt Geiger - the luxury shoe retailer and wholesaler

- Education Personnel - a provider of supply teachers and teaching assistants to state schools in the UK^[13]

- Alexander Mann Solutions - a provider of recruitment process outsourcing^[14]

- National Fostering Agency - an independent children's fostering agency

- London Square - a house builder focused on prime sites within the M25^[15]

- Willowbrook Healthcare - a developer and operator or premium elderly care homes^[16]

Graphite's current portfolio also includes:

- U-POL - a manufacturer and distributor of automotive refinishing products^[17]

- Micheldever Tyre Services - a tyre wholesaler and retailer

- Explore Learning - a provider of after school tuition for children aged between 5 and 14^[18]

- Hawksmoor - the operator of premium steak restaurants^[19]

- Corbin & King (formerly Rex Restaurants) - the operator of signature restaurants in London^[20]

Earlier investments include the Groucho Club which was sold in July 2015,^[21] Dominion Oil & Gas,^[22] NES Group,^[23] Wagamama^[24] and Park Holidays.^[25]

References

External links

• Graphite Capital (company website)

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