Travers Smith LLP has advised Melior Equity Partners ("Melior") as lead counsel on the final close of Melior Equity Partners Fund II with €160m of total commitments, making it one of the largest private equity funds in Ireland.
Melior is a leading private equity investment firm headquartered in Dublin which was founded by Jonathan Cosgrave and Peter Garvey, the former managing directors of The Carlyle Group's operations in Ireland. Melior Equity Partners II is backed by both local and international blue-chip investors including The Carlyle Group, the European Investment Fund, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Bank of Ireland and AIB and will support Irish SMEs with strong growth potential.
The Travers Smith team was led by Funds Partner Sam Kay with support from Senior Associate Nikhil Nathwani and Associate Natacha Öz. Support was also provided by Financial Services & Markets Partner Phil Bartram and Associate Nick Glynn.
Asante Capital Group acted as exclusive fundraising advisor, McCann Fitzgerald supplied Irish legal support and KPMG provided tax advice on the fundraise.
Peter Garvey said:
"We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in the last two years at Melior and in raising one of Ireland's largest private equity funds. The service provided by Sam and the Travers Smith team was first class and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them moving forwards."
Sam Kay commented:
"We are delighted to have supported Melior on the fundraise of their new fund. We began working with Peter and Jonny on the spin-out of the Carlyle Ireland investment team. The journey has continued through the fund structuring and fundraising. We are excited to see how the Melior team will shape and develop the Irish private equity market as they go from strength to strength."