CVC appoints infrastructure head

CVC Capital Partners has appointed Stephen Vineburg as chief executive of a newly established infrastructure investment business.

A new US$2bn fund will be launched early in 2008, which will seek to make investments in infrastructure assets primarily in Europe but will also, where appropriate, invest in Asia and the US.

Vineburg previously worked for the infrastructure investment team at Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s investment arm, Colonial First State, for13 year, eventually leading the business.

Transactions worked on included the purchase of Anglian Water and Norweb, announced last month.

Separately, David Lee, partner in law firm Allen & Overy‘s infrastructure practice, has said he expects there to be a further wave of infrastructure M&A over the next year.

“Two years ago we thought deal values had reached a natural high. But this year we have seen water companies such as Kelda and Souther Water sold at significant premiums towards the end of the regulatory cycle,” he said.

The water regulator is to review the prices that water companies can charge at the end of next year. “Northumbrian Water and Severn Trent are likely to change hands in 2008 before the next regualtory review,” added Lee.

He also predicted that London Continental Railways would be sold by the Government and Transport for London would complete the purchase of Metronet.