BlackRock transfers tail-end buyout stakes to Hollyport

The London tail-end specialist has acquired stakes in a 2002-vintage European buyout fund using its latest secondaries vehicle.

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has sold its stakes in a 2002-vintage European buyout fund to Hollyport Capital.

The New York-headquartered firm transferred its entire interest held through three vehicles in Bridgepoint Europe II to Hollyport, which used its Hollyport Secondary Opportunities V fund, according to UK regulatory filings.

The three vehicles were Vesey Street Portfolio, Arthur Street Portfolio and Passage Portfolio.

It was not clear from the filings how much Hollyport paid for the stakes or when the deal closed.

Bridgepoint II is a €2 billion vehicle that has invested in companies including pets supplies retailer Pets At Home and 1st Credit, a debt purchase and collection business. The vehicle now holds only a few assets, according to a source familiar with the fund.

Bridgepoint II had a 29.5 percent net internal rate of return and a 2 x return multiple on 30 June 2015, according to a performance document from the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, an investor in the fund.

Hollyport Secondary Opportunities V is Hollyport’s latest secondaries fund, which closed above target on £187.5 million ($270 million; €240 million) last November after five months of fundraising, according to PEI Research and Analytics.

BlackRock, which has $4.6 trillion in assets under management according, is planning to raise an Asia-focused fund of funds vehicle this year to invest in buyout funds and at the same time co-invest in underlying companies.

Hollyport and Bridgepoint declined to comment. BlackRock did not return requests for comment.