Top Private Equity Firms in London

London stands as a global financial powerhouse and is home to some of the most prominent private equity (PE) firms in the world. These firms fund growth across sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and consumer services, helping businesses unlock their full potential.

In this article, we highlight top London private equity firms, exploring their investment strategies, industry expertise, and standout contributions.

1. Apax Partners

Apax Partners is a long-established leader in the private equity space, founded in 1972 and headquartered in London. With more than $77 billion in assets under management, Apax specializes in providing growth capital to companies across three core global sectors: Tech, Services, and Internet/Consumer.

The firm typically invests between $1 million and $5 million at early stages, such as Seed and Series A, maintaining a long-term view with investment horizons between 3 and 5 years.

Apax is known for its sector-focused investment strategy and hands-on involvement in scaling portfolio companies. The firm has a proven track record of driving transformative change and accelerating growth across diverse markets.

With over five decades of experience, the firm continues to deliver strategic insight and operational support that help companies evolve into global market leaders while building long-term, sustainable value.

2. BluePeak Private Capital

Founded in 2019, BluePeak Private Capital is an alternative asset management firm that operates out of London, with additional offices in Nairobi and Tunis. Although relatively new, the firm has quickly carved out a niche by focusing on financing high-impact businesses.

BluePeak typically invests up to $1 million in late-stage companies (Series C+), offering flexible and structured capital solutions that include both junior debt and senior equity.

BluePeak’s flagship fund emphasizes impact-driven investments, targeting scalable businesses in underserved markets. With a typical holding period of 5 to 7 years, the firm aims to deliver strong risk-adjusted returns while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Their approach to capital structuring is highly tailored, addressing the nuanced needs of mid-sized companies in emerging markets.

3. Bridgepoint

Bridgepoint Group is one of London’s leading private equity players, managing over $75 billion in assets globally. Established in 1999, the firm specializes in growth investments across private equity, infrastructure, and private credit.

The private equity company is known for its Series B investments, typically between $5 million and $10 million, with a 3 to 5-year horizon.

Operating across Europe, North America, and Asia, Bridgepoint combines deep sector expertise with a disciplined investment approach. The firm focuses on scaling businesses through organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and operational enhancements.

Its public listing and global reach make Bridgepoint a preferred partner for companies seeking transformational capital and long-term support.

4. Clayton Dubilier & Rice

Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has built a respected name in the industry since its founding in 1978. With a London office complementing its U.S. operations, the firm is known for building stronger, more profitable companies in a variety of industries.

CD&R typically invests up to $1 million in early-stage rounds such as Seed and Series B, with a focus on exit strategies like IPOs and sales to strategic acquirers.

What sets CD&R apart is its operational intensity. The firm works closely with management teams and corporate sellers to enhance performance, often partnering with businesses undergoing significant transitions.

CD&R's team blends deep industry knowledge with hands-on experience, aligning its investments with long-term value creation.

5. Coller Capital

Coller Capital is a pioneer in the private equity secondaries market. Since its launch in 1990, the firm has managed over $27 billion in assets and is widely recognized for its innovative approach to secondary investments.

Headquartered in London, with global offices in New York and Hong Kong, Coller focuses on acquiring stakes in private equity and private credit from existing investors.

The firm primarily invests in sectors such as fintech, financial services, and health tech, targeting Series B and later-stage companies. Typical investment sizes are up to $1 million, with an investment horizon of 3 to 5 years. Coller’s strategies provide liquidity to private market investors while creating new opportunities for value realization.

Backed by over 200 leading institutional investors, Coller Capital continues to reshape private markets through complex, tailored secondary transactions.

6. Corten Capital

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in London, Corten Capital is a specialist private equity firm that partners with entrepreneurial management teams to build market-leading B2B businesses.

The firm focuses on companies across software, services, and information industries, with a strong emphasis on sectors such as construction, healthcare services, industrial, and real estate.

It was co-founded by a team of seasoned investors and business leaders who bring a unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise. This combination enables Corten to help scale fast-growing companies across Europe and North America with precision and impact.

7. Fasanara Capital

Fasanara Capital is an independent, London-based asset management firm recognized for its unconventional investment strategies and innovation-driven approach.

Co-founded by Francesco Filia in 2011, the firm manages approximately $550 million in assets and is authorized and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

Fasanara typically invests at the Seed stage with deal sizes up to $1 million, focusing on niche, capacity-constrained opportunities.

The firm’s portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors, including digital infrastructure, education, edtech, fashion and beauty, financial services, fintech, food and beverage, and food tech. With its forward-thinking portfolio construction, Fasanara is well-positioned to capitalize on the evolving dynamics of modern markets.

8. GLP

GLP, founded in 2002, is a global investment manager with operations in London and over $80 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on building thematic platforms in logistics, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy.

GLP’s typical investment range is between $10 million and $50 million, across Series A to Late Stage (Series C+) rounds.

The company’s approach includes a combination of strategic M&A, development, and partnerships to scale businesses across regions. GLP’s strong track record in platform building and operational excellence makes it a key player in infrastructure-focused private equity globally.

9. Hayfin Capital Management

Hayfin Capital Management, established in 2009, is a leading alternative asset management firm headquartered in London, with a global footprint spanning key financial markets. Managing over $34 billion in assets, the firm focuses on private equity, direct lending, and credit strategies across a range of sectors.

The firm typically invests between $10 million and $50 million in Series B and later-stage companies, leveraging strategies such as M&A, IPOs, and management buyouts for exit. Its portfolio spans industries including financial services, fintech, healthcare services, and real estate.

Known for its disciplined, research-driven approach, Hayfin has supported over 500 companies worldwide with tailored, flexible capital solutions designed to drive long-term growth.

10. Hellman & Friedman

Hellman & Friedman (H&F), founded in 1984, is a global private equity firm with offices in San Francisco, New York, and London. The firm has over $50 billion in assets under management and focuses on large-scale equity investments in high-quality businesses.

With typical investment sizes up to $1 million in Series A and B rounds, H&F partners with management teams to unlock long-term value. The firm is known for its selective and strategic approach, focusing on a few core sectors and working closely with portfolio companies to drive innovation and expansion.

11. Bain Capital

Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is a global private investment firm with approximately $105 billion in assets under management. While headquartered in the United States, the firm maintains a significant presence in London, reflecting its commitment to international markets.

Bain Capital operates across multiple asset classes, including private equity, credit, public equity, and venture capital, leveraging a unified platform to pursue cross-asset investment opportunities.

The firm typically invests $100 million or more in Series B and later-stage companies, focusing on value creation through strategies such as IPOs and strategic exits. Its deep industry expertise and global reach have made it a trusted partner for businesses and investors alike.

12. Terra Firma Capital Partners

Terra Firma Capital Partners is a London-based private equity and venture capital firm with a 30-year track record of driving transformational change.

Founded in 1994 by private equity pioneer Guy Hands, the firm manages approximately $48 billion in assets and focuses on strategic investments in agriculture, consumer products, consumer services (B2C), and healthcare services.

Terra Firma typically invests between $1 million and $5 million in Series B stage companies, with an investment horizon of 3 to 5 years. The firm is known for acquiring asset-rich businesses in essential sectors and creating long-term value through operational, financial, and strategic transformation.

With over €18 billion invested across 39 businesses, Terra Firma’s philosophy—reflected in its name, meaning "solid ground"—is built on integrity, deep partnership, and a commitment to sustainable growth over short-term gains.

13. Mayfair Equity Partners

Mayfair Equity Partners, based in London, specializes in growth capital and buyout investments. Founded in 2014, the firm focuses on partnering with high-potential businesses across the TMT (technology, media, and telecommunications) and consumer sectors.

The firm typically invests between $1 million and $5 million in Series B stage companies, with a flexible investment horizon tailored to the needs of each portfolio company.

Known for its collaborative approach, Mayfair works closely with management teams to accelerate growth and reduce execution risk, offering both strategic guidance and operational support to help businesses scale with confidence.

14. Permira

Permira is a global private equity firm headquartered in London, managing approximately $80 billion in assets. Originally founded in 1985 as Schroder Ventures, the firm now operates across 16 offices in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Permira specializes in Series B investments ranging from $1 million to $5 million, with a typical holding period of 3 to 5 years.

The firm follows a thematic investment strategy, focusing on sectors such as technology, consumer, healthcare, services, and climate-focused businesses.

Known for its partnership-driven model, Permira works closely with management teams through its dedicated Value Creation Team and global network of advisers to enhance performance and long-term growth.

In addition to private equity, the firm’s credit platform has deployed over €20 billion in debt capital to more than 300 businesses worldwide.

15. Hg Capital

Hg Capital is a leading private equity and venture capital firm headquartered in London, managing approximately $75 billion in assets. Founded in 2000, Hg specializes in investing in software and services companies across Europe and North America, with a strong focus on early-stage opportunities—typically investing between $0 and $1 million in Seed and Series A rounds.

Hg follows a cluster-based investment model, concentrating on tightly defined sectors growing faster than the broader economy. With a philosophy centered around long-term value creation, it supports portfolio companies through operational guidance, strategic roll-ups, and a collaborative network that fosters innovation and best practice sharing.

16. CVC Capital Partners

CVC Capital Partners is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse private equity firms, with €87 billion in assets under management and 95 active investments. With 30 offices globally, including a major presence in London, CVC brings deep local market knowledge and decades of experience navigating economic and industry cycles across EMEA and the Americas.

The firm focuses on high-quality, cash-generative businesses with strong market positions, diversified customer bases, and resilient business models. CVC seeks out companies with steady, predictable cash flows and competitive advantages in products, services, or cost structure.

Through both its traditional private equity funds and its open-ended vehicle, CVC-PE, the firm invests alongside portfolio companies to deliver long-term, consistent performance and value creation across global markets.

17. TowerBrook Capital Partners

TowerBrook Capital Partners is a transatlantic investment management firm headquartered in London and New York City. Originally a spinout from Soros Fund Management in 2005, TowerBrook has since built a reputation for acquiring and transforming high-profile businesses, most notably including luxury brand Jimmy Choo.

TowerBrook focuses on services-oriented businesses across Europe and North America, with investment strategies that span private equity, structured opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

Backed by deep industry expertise and a thesis-driven investment model, the firm brings together capital, talent, and an ecosystem of resources to drive long-term transformation and value creation across its portfolio.

Let’s Recap

London is a global nexus for private equity activity, housing firms that drive innovation, scale businesses, and unlock value across sectors and continents. From early-stage investments to secondary market acquisitions, these firms offer diverse strategies and deep expertise.

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