The Carlyle Group deals mostly in the acquisition of high-tech and defense companies.
The “Yediot Ahronot” Hebrew daily reports that the Carlyle Group of the US is interested in acquiring the controlling interest in Bezeq (TASE: BZEQ). David Rubenstein and William Conway Jr. founded Carlyle Venture in 1987.
Carlyle is trying to preserve the confidentiality of its shareholders. As far as is known, however, the most famous of them are former US President George Bush Sr., former UK Prime Minister John Major, and investor George Soros. Former US Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci is chairman of the Carlyle Group.
Carlyle has a number of investments in Israel, including Actelis Networks, a start up, and Trellis Photonics and Packet Technologies. A number of parties are reported to be interested in acquiring the Bezeq controlling interest, including a consortium formed by former Cable and Wireless chairman Lord Young, businessman Poju Zabludowicz, investments funds Apax Partners and Markstone Capital Partners Fund, Eurocom Communications, and Shrem Fudim Kelner & Co. (TASE: SFK).
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on May 16, 2004