London, United Kingdom – The private funds team at international law firm Addleshaw Goddard has supported long standing clients YFM Equity Partners (YFM) on the successful close of YFM Buyout Fund III, reaching committed funds of £95.5 million (exceeding the original target of £80 million).

The fundraise is the highest amount raised to-date by a YFM Buyout Fund and has bucked the trend in the wider PE fundraising sector. It has attracted a large proportion of first time YFM investors at a rate of 33%.

Buyout Fund III is set to make typical investments of between £5m and £15m per transaction. It will invest into businesses that demonstrate strong growth potential and which are located across the UK regions, through YFM’s network of offices in London, Leeds, Manchester, Reading and Birmingham. The fund’s investment programme will commence in 2024 and is targeting to invest over a three-to-four-year period.

Eamon Nolan, Managing Partner at YFM said:

"We are delighted to get this successful fundraise over the line. It's an exciting milestone for us and our investors. With AG, we once again partnered with a trusted adviser and a team that puts us at the centre of everything they do. They fielded a team that became an extension of our business."      

Addleshaw Goddard Private Fund's partner Jan Gruter said:

"YFM's expectation defying fundraise is a ray of sunshine in a tougher fundraise environment for PE. It's been a pleasure to support an energetic and driven team with a mission to invest in the backbone of the UK economy. We are proud to have played a part in supporting YFM's growth – a success story that continues to be written." 

The team in Addleshaw Goddard's Private Funds group counselling YFM included funds lawyers Jan Gruter, Aidan McConville, Chloe Chiew and Grace Towey. Funds regulatory expert Richard Small supported on regulatory matters.