Kamal Tabet, the London-based global head of financial entrepreneurs at Citigroup, and one of the best-connected bankers among private equity firms, is taking a sabbatical following a wider restructuring at the US bank.

Mr Tabet, 47, will take his leave while Citi merges its financial entrepreneurs business with its infrastructure division to create an alternative asset group. His move comes at a time when banks are finding it hard to fund private equity deals.