Sweden

Texas-based Next Coast Ventures has named former Ultimate Software COO and general manager Julie Dodd as a venture partner.

Ares Management has bought into laser hair removal and skincare business LaserAway, which is backed by Siedler Equity Partners.

Macquarie Asset Management has agreed to acquire New York-based Central Park Group, an investment advisory firm delivering private client access to institutional private equity, real estate, hedge funds and funds-of-funds.

Providence Equity Partners has made a strategic investment in SaaS-based classroom technology platform Seesaw.

Secondaries private equity specialist Banner Ridge Partners has almost doubled its AUM by collecting $1bn for its latest secondaries fund, just 18 months after closing its predecessor.

Global investment major Pantheon has raised more than $620m to close a new fund targeting GP-led secondaries private equity deals.

New Mountain Capital has raised about $1.15bn for the final close of its latest direct lending fund.

Debt-focused asset manager White Oak Global Advisors has raised up to $2.3bn of capital commitments for its private credit fund and to make investments in specialty finance, with a focus on asset-based lending.

Vance Street Capital has bought aftermarket aviation parts supplier McFarlane Aviation as the fourth deal from its third fund.

LBO France has taken the first step towards a long-term partnership with China's Haixia Capital through the launch of a joint venture targeting €500m of investments in companies with high development potential in China and Europe.