Turnaround vehicle launched<

Sir Gerry Robinson, former chairman of Allied Domecq, Granada and BSkyB, has launched a new investment vehicle which he says aims to invest in “underperforming companies in the UK that are being stalked by private equity firms.”

Raphoe Management will acquire stakes of up to 10% in listed companies and then apply management techniques to turn around the business. “They may have inappropriate management or an inefficient capital structure. Our aim will be to allow existing shareholders to benefit from the turnaround, rather than private equity firms,” says Robinson.

Robinson is the controlling shareholder of Raphoe, and is joined by Europa Partners, the UK corporate advisory firm, which will advise on acquisitions and arrange funding.