There comes a defining event in the history of every successful company. It may be a major contract being won or the launch of ground-breaking product. For Markit, which began life in a Hertfordshire barn 10 years ago as a provider of data on credit derivatives, that moment may just have arrived.

Last night, the London-based data provider confirmed it had received a "significant equity investment" from Singaporean investor Temasek. The sovereign wealth fund, which manages a portfolio worth around $150bn, will be a leading shareholder alongside Markit's existing investors - these include private equity firm General Atlantic, investment banks and institutional investors, as well as employees.