Ex-Comet owner on fundraising mission - report

The private equity firm that oversaw Comet's collapse is planning to launch a new fund, according to Sky News article

The private equity firm that netted more than £100m from the collapse of Comet is courting backers for a new fund, according to reports.

Citing sources close to the company, Sky News claims that Opcapita founder Henry Jackson has been holding talks with potential investors to assist with the new fundraising.

Jackson and Opcapita came in for a battering last month when it emerged they walked away from the Comet collapse with £117.9m, despite it costing the British taxpayer £50m and leading to thousands of job losses.

Comet survived just nine months into Opcapita's tutelage. The events prompted business secretary Vince Cable to launch a probe into the circumstances surrounding Opcapita's purchase of the ailing retail chain and its subsequent demise.

Opcapita, which also currently invests in Game Group, has previously raised lolly for M&A on a case-by-case basis but is now looking to raise a longer-term fund more in line with conventional private equity practices, the Sky News report said.

It is unclear how much Jackson is seeking to raise, or his chances of success, the article added.

Accounts published last month revealed that the investment vehicle through which Opcapita structured the Comet deal expects to net up to £67.9m from the administration and liquidation of Comet, according to the FT. This is on top of the £50m cash dowry it bagged from Kesa when it acquired Comet for £2 in February 2012.