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India Office launched by Apax Partners

26th November 2006

Apax Partners, one of the world's largest and most well established private equity firms, has announced the launch of its India office, Apax Partners India.

New Delhi, 26 November 2006 Apax Partners, one of the world's largest and most well established private equity firms, has announced the launch of its India office, Apax Partners India.  The Apax Partners India team is led by Neeraj Bharadwaj, Managing Director and Country Head, and includes Principals Sandeep Naik and Shashank Singh, two investment professionals who are joining from the New York and London offices, respectively.

At a New Delhi press conference at which Shri. Kamal Nath, Honourable Minister for Commerce and Industry welcomed the firm to India, leaders of the new office and Apax Partners' global team described their firm's commitment to this essential market.

Martin Halusa, Chief Executive Officer, Apax Partners Worldwide, said at the conference, "Apax Partners is set apart competitively in the global buyout marketplace by the fact that it focuses on five growth sectors and sources investment opportunities through a network of local offices.  In view of the extraordinary growth of the Indian market, it is critical that we have a major presence and commitment here - to invest in promising Indian companies, and to support the growth ambitions of our portfolio companies."

Funds managed by Apax Partners buy stakes in large companies that have strong, established market positions and the potential to expand.  Apax is a focused investor with a deep bench of experience in five global growth business sectors: Tech & Telecom, Media, Retail & Consumer, Healthcare and Financial & Business Services.

Elaborating on Apax's India strategy, Mr. Bharadwaj said, "We intend to partner with India's emerging global giants in relationships where we are able to create significant value by leveraging our industry expertise and global networks.  The Apax India team looks forward to putting to work its deep investment experience, as well as the significant resources of our firm as a whole."

"The drivers of private equity investment in the India market include: consolidation in fragmented industries, international expansion, increasing domestic market spend, and continued growth in value-added services" said Max Burger Calderon, Senior Partner, Apax Partners Asia.  "India today possesses significant managerial talent, a huge talent pool of professionals who can compete globally, and is supported by a robust capital market that has proven itself in terms of exits."

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Notes to Editors

Neeraj Bharadwaj - India Country Manager
• Joined Apax in 1999. Previously with McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley
• BSc in Economics from Wharton School. MBA (with distinction) from Harvard Business School

Sandeep Naik - Principal
• Joined Apax in 2004. Previously with Medtronic and McKinsey. Co-founder Infrascan
• BSc in Engineering from University of Bombay. MS in Biomedical Engineering from Medical College of Virginia. MBA from Wharton School

Shashank Singh - Principal
• Joined Apax in 2004. Previously with Monitor Company
• BA in Economics from St. Stephen's College. MA in Economics from Cambridge University. MBA (with high distinction) from Harvard Business School


Apax Partners India Team deal experience:
Bezeq, Esprit Pharma, JAMDAT Mobile, NXP, Q-Telecom, Spectrum Labs, TDC, TIM Hellas, Synetrix, WiderThan, Xanodyne


About Apax Partners

Apax Partners is one of the world's leading private equity investment groups.  It operates across the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience.  Funds under the advice of Apax Partners total $20 billion around the world.  These Funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies.  Apax Partners Funds invest in companies across its global sectors of Tech & Telecom, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare and Financial & Business Services.

Amongst the more significant investments made by the funds advised by Apax Partners are: Azimut, TIM Hellas, TDC, GHG, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Tommy Hilfigher, PVH / Calvin Klein, Kabel Deutschland and Yell.  For further information: www.apax.com

Apax Partners continues to expand its local, on-the-ground presence in key markets with the opening of the India office.  Apax Partners India will be focused on offering value-added capital by partnering with local companies to support their growth needs both organic (expansion) and inorganic (acquisitions).  The Apax Partners India team comprising Neeraj Bharadwaj, Sandeep Naik and Shashank Singh is unique in that they are completely familiar with the private equity platform and have been immersed as experienced investment professionals in the culture and philosophy of Apax Partners.