Duke Street is a private equity

Private equity

Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....

 firm focused on leveraged buyout

Leveraged buyout

A leveraged buyout occurs when an investor, typically financial sponsor, acquires a controlling interest in a company's equity and where a significant percentage of the purchase price is financed through leverage...

 and growth capital

Growth capital

Growth capital is a type of private equity investment, most often a minority investment, in relatively mature companies that are looking for capital to expand or restructure operations, enter new markets or finance a significant acquisition without a change of control of the business.Companies...

 investments in middle-market companies in Western Europe, particularly the UK and France.

The firm which is based in London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

 was founded in 1988 as Hambro European Ventures, the private equity investment arm of Hambros Bank

Hambros Bank

Hambros Bank was a British bank based in London. The Hambros bank was a specialist in Anglo-Scandinavian business with expertise in trade finance and investment banking, and was the sole banker to the Scandinavian kingdoms for many years...

. The principals of the firm completed a spinout from Hambros in 1998, following the bank's sale to Société Générale

Société Générale

Société Générale S.A. is a large European Bank and a major Financial Services company that has a substantial global presence. Its registered office is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, while its head office is in the Tours Société Générale in the business district of La...

, and changed name of the firm to Duke Street Capital and later Duke Street.

The firm has raised approximately £2.6 billion since inception across six private equity investment funds.

Among the firm's most notable investments are Gala Bingo, Equity Insurance Group

Equity Insurance Group

Equity Insurance Group is a UK personal lines and commercial insurer. It comprises two specialist divisions: Equity Red Star, its underwriting arm and Equity Direct Broking, its broking business.-Equity Red Star:...

, Burton's Foods

Burton's Foods

Burton's Foods is a United Kingdom biscuit manufacturer.The company was formed from the merger of Burton's Gold Medal Biscuits and Horizon Biscuit Company in October 2000...

, Esporta Health Clubs

Esporta Health Clubs

Esporta Health & Fitness Clubs is a chain of health clubs in the United Kingdom, which also once owned clubs in Spain. The clubs offer a wide variety of different fitness facilities, including gyms, swimming pools and courts for racquet sports...

, Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images, Inc. is a stock photo agency, based in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is a supplier of stock images for business and consumers with an archive of 80 million still images and illustrations and more than 50,000 hours of stock film footage...

, The Original Factory Shop

The Original Factory Shop

The Original Factory Shop is a discount department store that was established in 1969. It currently operates 170 + stores across the United Kingdom.- Operations:...

, Marie Brizard

Marie Brizard et Roger International

Marie Brizard et Roger International is a French alcoholic beverage company founded in 1755. It is a subsidiary of Belvédère, and is based in Bordeaux, France....

, Megabowl

Megabowl

Megabowl is a trading name of Tenpin Ltd, a subsidiary of Essenden PLC .The "Megabowl" brand has gradually been replaced by the new "Tenpin" brand, with only a handful of Megabowl branded sites remaining....

and Great Mills.

External links

• Duke Street (company website)