Buzz Archive:
Transparency for UK PE: A Model for the Globe? SJ Berwin's Summary of the Sir David Walker Report

by Simon Witney, Partner, SJ Berwin LLP, 12/4/2007

Where do private equity houses that own or acquire "large" companies - or aspire to do so - reveal much more about themselves than they have in the past? What industry is suggesting their portfolio companies to be more open than other private companies have ever been?

It is coming from London and finance guru Sir David Walker. At his urging--many of the affected firms have already pledged to comply, and most are expected to do so. In practice, the pressure to fall into line - at least for UK-based firms - is likely to prove irresistible. Is this transparency for a model for the globe?