The London head of UK mid-market private equity firm Gresham Private Equity has retired from the firm after nine years to pursue other interests, joining a growing number of senior executives leaving the City of London as the recession bites.

Mike Henebery, who joined Gresham in February 2000 and rose to become managing director of investment and head of the firm's London office, retired from the firm but will work as a consultant to the firm for a further two years.