3i Group plc (“3i” or “the Group”), an international investor focused on Private Equity, Infrastructure and Debt Management, today announces it has appointed Marcelo Di Lorenzo, previously of Standard Bank Private Equity, to head its newly-established office and team in Brazil.

Marcelo will head a team which has an established track record over the last 15 years, having worked on private equity transactions across Latin America including Localiza, the leading Latin American car rental company; UOL, a Brazilian internet service provider; Cremer, the disposable healthcare products manufacturer and distributor in Brazil; Convermex, the Mexican disposable tableware manufacturer; and Casa do Pão de Queijo, the leading coffee and snack chain in Brazil with over 1,100 points of sale throughout the country. 3i will co-manage Standard Bank’s existing investment in Casa do Pão de Queijo. 
  
3i Brazil will add to the Group’s existing private equity business and support its market entry into Latin America. Approx. 20% of 3i’s core portfolio companies generate revenues from Latin America, so the team will also enhance the Group’s ability to provide these companies with on the ground support as well as enable other portfolio companies to access the opportunities that the region presents. 

In addition to Marcelo, the team will initially consist of three other former Standard Bank Private Equity professionals, Edward Hanmer, Felipe Vivacqua and Carlos Lopes, all based in São Paulo. 3i will look to invest between $30m and $100m per transaction in businesses with an enterprise value of up to $200m for minority or majority shareholdings. The main focus will be on businesses in the consumer and business services sectors.

Bob Stefanowski, who leads 3i’s American and Asian business, commented: “We believe the team, led by Marcelo, will be a great addition to the Group.  The formation of 3i Brazil will enhance our global investment capabilities and will provide our portfolio companies, many of which are already active across Latin America, with further access to this growing region.”

Marcelo Di Lorenzo, Head of 3i Brazil added: “The mid-market represents a great opportunity in the Brazilian private equity market and 3i is well positioned to take advantage of this given its long track record investing in mid-size companies, its extensive network, its strong reputation and its deep sector knowledge. We are confident 3i will also add substantial value to future portfolio companies in Brazil.“

For further information, please contact:

Patrick Dunne, 3i      
Tel:  +44 20 7975 3566 
3i Group Communications Director

Kathryn van der Kroft, 3i     
Tel:  +44 20 7975 3021
3i PR Operations Director 

Notes to editors

About 3i
3i is an international investor focused on Private Equity, Infrastructure and Debt Management, investing in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Our competitive advantage comes from our international network and the strength and breadth of our business relationships.  These underpin the value that we deliver to our portfolio, shareholders and fund investors.

www.3i.com