Disrobing buyout barons

Some of private equity’s founding fathers are considering going public - and with good reason. Buyout barons like KKR’s Henry Kravis, Carlyle’s David Rubenstein and Blackstone’s Steve Schwarzman have transformed their cottage boutiques into global mega-fund complexes. It’s only natural they would want to monetise the franchises they’ve built up over decades before retiring. But none apparently wants to be the first to disrobe in public. A few firms have launched listed funds, but none have sold...