Latest News

Key Capital Partners (KCP), the independent private equity house, has appointed former Barclays Private Equity co-head Tom Lamb as non-executive chairman.

KCP is a leading investor in the ‘equity gap’, making investments of between £2million and £10million in profitable growing UK companies. The firm has offices in London, Birmingham and Leeds.

Lamb recently retired after 26 years with Barclays Private Equity (now Equistone Partners Europe following a management buyout in 2011). During that time he served as head of UK regions, managing director UK and co-head. In 2008 he took a part-time role as chairman of BPE’s investment committee, before retiring in November 2011.

Commenting on his new role at KCP, Lamb said: “The opportunity at KCP is ideal for me. After leaving BPE after 26 years, I wanted to remain in private equity. Acting as non-executive chairman gives me the chance to lend my experience to KCP’s deals in the lower-mid market.

“KCP has an excellent reputation and the team has a strong track record in private equity. I admire KCP’s innovative fund structure, which values transparency and aligns the interests of the fund manager with those of its investors. I’m looking forward to working in KCP’s target market, investing £2million to £10million of equity, where there is real potential to grow promising businesses.

“I am relishing helping KCP through the next stage of its development.”

Mike Fell, investment partner at KCP, said: “We are delighted to have Tom on board. His track record at BPE speaks for itself and he joins KCP at an exciting time.

“We have ambitious plans for the next few years, including increasing the number of investment professionals and improving our reach in the UK. Tom will be integral to achieving those goals.”

Last month, KCP backed the secondary management buyout of Midlands Industrial Glass. The deal, led by Owen Trotter and Richard Thomas, will enable the company to accelerate its organic and acquisitive growth plans.

KCP has made nine investments since closing its maiden £100million fund, including its £5million equity investment in contemporary furniture and home accessories retailer, Dwell, in August 2010, and the £21million MBO of TSC Foods (manufacturer of the “Glorious!” range of fresh soups) in 2009.