3i has poached Olivier Lesca from UBS Warburg and transferred Richard Campin from London in a bid to break into the French medium-sized buyout market, where success has proved elusive for the UK-listed international private equity firm.

Lesca, formerly an investment banker, has been headhunted to join a team of six in Paris, headed by Richard Campin, who has transferred from the buyout business team in London. As a director, Lesca will be responsible for identifying and executing French and cross-border buyouts, and will work from the London and Paris offices.