London stands as a global hub of history, culture, and influence. It is also a powerhouse of accessible capital. This unique combination has cemented its status as Europe’s premier financial center. With a deep and dynamic capital base, London offers an environment highly conducive to both capital formation and strategic deployment. As a result, private equity firms and institutional investors continue to thrive, leveraging the city’s financial infrastructure, global connectivity, and regulatory stability to drive growth across markets.
Overview: CVC Capital Partners, founded in 1981, operates its global hub from the Strand in London. The firm oversees approximately $170B in assets across private equity, secondaries, credit, and infrastructure. CVC’s London office serves as its principal European headquarters, supporting investments in industry leaders across consumer, retail, TMT, and healthcare. The firm is renowned for its partnership-driven strategy and strong operational value creation.
Focus: CVC invests through a multi-strategy platform, targeting companies globally and emphasizing operational transformation, market leadership, and disciplined growth.
Overview: Permira, founded in London in 1985, manages around $87B in assets. The firm has built a reputation for backing high-growth market leaders globally, especially in technology, consumer, healthcare, and services. Permira’s London office remains central to its strategy and deal flow.
Focus: Permira focuses on buyouts and growth equity investments, supporting transformational growth, operational excellence, and market leadership.
Overview: Hg, London-based, is the dominant European investor in software and tech-enabled services companies. Managing over $85B in assets, Hg boasts a portfolio of recurring revenue platforms across automation, SaaS, and enterprise technology. The firm is recognized for delivering hands-on support and expertise in digital transformation and scaling.
Focus: Hg invests in high-growth software and services, especially those focused on digitization, mission-critical business solutions, and international expansion.
Overview: Founded in 1969, Apax Partners is one of the world’s oldest and most established private equity firms, with headquarters in London. The firm has raised and advised over $77B in funds and invested across tech, healthcare, consumer, and services. Apax’s global scale is underscored by its London base and track record for pioneering large-cap buyouts.
Focus: Apax targets companies with enterprise values between $1B and $5B, specializing in digital transformation, buy-and-build strategies, and responsible investing.
Overview: Cinven is headquartered in London and has almost 50 years of investing experience. The firm has raised over $55B, completed more than 150 investments, and realized proceeds surpassing $57B. Cinven is known for close collaboration with management, disciplined investment execution, and deep sector expertise.
Focus: Cinven specializes in six core business sectors: Business Services, Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials, and TMT. Its philosophy emphasizes partnership, long-term growth, and operational efficiency.
Overview: Bridgepoint is a leading international private equity firm headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange. The firm manages over $44B in AUM and has a strong heritage in mid-market buyouts across Europe. Bridgepoint’s deep local presence drives its ability to scale and strengthen market leaders.
Focus: Bridgepoint invests equity from $165M to $1B in mid-market companies spanning consumer, services, healthcare, and technology, emphasizing operational improvement and international expansion.
Overview: Actis is a London-based global investor specializing in sustainable infrastructure. With approximately $25B under management, Actis has supported more than 300 investments worldwide, emphasizing sustainability, energy transition, and digitization. Its commitment to positive social impact sets it apart in the market.
Focus: Actis invests in infrastructure sectors offering long-term growth and ESG impact, emphasizing emerging and growth markets.
Overview: Vitruvian Partners, founded in 2006 and headquartered in London, manages over $22B in assets. The firm drives high-growth investments in technology, healthcare, and financial services. Its portfolio spans more than 90 companies, and the team is known for flexibility, entrepreneurial culture, and responsible investing.
Focus: Vitruvian targets companies with enterprise values from $82M to $4.4B+, investing in growth buyouts, expansion strategies, and operational scaling.
Overview: IK Partners, established in 1989 and based in London, is a mid-market specialist that has raised over $21B and completed more than 200 investments. IK leverages a partnership-driven model and multi-sector expertise across business services, healthcare, consumer, and industrials.
Focus: IK invests equity ranging from $11M to $327M in companies valued between $27M and $1B+, delivering operational improvements and transformational growth.
Overview: TDR Capital is a private investment firm headquartered in London, managing over $16B in assets. Since its founding in 2002, TDR has become a recognized player for transformational buyouts and partnerships with management teams.
Focus: TDR Capital invests in market-leading European businesses, driving value through operational transformation, strategic M&A, and concentrated portfolio management.
Dakota is a financial, software, data and media company based in Philadelphia, PA. Dakota’s flagship product, Dakota Marketplace, is a database of LPs, GPs, Private Companies and Public Companies used by thousands of fundraising, deal, and investment teams worldwide to raise capital, source deals, track peers, and access comprehensive data—all in one global platform.
For more information, book a demo of Dakota Marketplace!
Written By: Peter Harris, Investment Research Associate
Top 10 Private Equity Firms in London 2025
August 27, 2025
Lateral Investment Management | Dakota Take 5
August 22, 2025
Public Pension Funds Are Still Allocating to Private Markets in 2025
August 21, 2025
Top 10 Private Equity Firms in Tampa 2025
August 20, 2025
New Fund Launches | July 2025
August 18, 2025
925 West Lancaster Ave
Suite 220
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Tel: (610) 642-1481
© Dakota 2025 | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy