Private equity has entered the mainstream. Scarcely a day passes without a bid, a fundraising exercise or a high profile CEO joining a private equity house. Debenhams, Boots, J Sainsbury - these are among the high street retailers to have attracted interest in the UK. But private equity's activities run far deeper and wider in the world economy.
This activity has come at a price. This year, private equity has attracted opprobrium from politicians,unions and even public companies which complain that the industry is secretive, unscrupulous and unaccountable.
