3i, the UK-listed private equity firm, has backed the €50m ($55m) management buy-out of SVP, a consultancy business, its first French buy-out since reorganising its Paris office.

3i has made a number of senior personnel changes in Paris. Richard Campin, head of 3i in France, said: "In addition to my arrival from London, we have made two senior hires. A couple of people have left, so we now have seven people in the team. We are looking to hire one more."