3i Group plc, an international investor focused on Private Equity, Infrastructure and Debt Management, 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. 3i will co-manage Standard Bank’s existing investment in Casa do Pão de Queijo.

Marcelo Di Lorenzo, now head of 3i Brazil said that 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. Lorenzo said 3i Brazil is confident it will also add substantial value to future portfolio companies in Brazil.

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 $30 million and $100 million per transaction in businesses with an enterprise value of up to $200 million for minority or majority shareholdings.

The main focus will be on businesses in the consumer and business services sectors.

Bob Stefanowski, head of 3i’s American and Asian business, said that he believes the team, led by Marcelo, will be a great addition to the Group.  According to Stefanowski, the formation of 3i Brazil will enhance the firm’s global investment capabilities and will provide its portfolio companies, many of which are already active across Latin America, with further access to this growing region.

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

19th April 2011