Diamond-Backed Atlas Mara Raises $325 Million in London IPO

Atlas Mara Co-Nvest Ltd., an African investment company started by former Barclays Plc Chief Executive Officer Bob Diamond and Ugandan entrepreneur Ashish Thakkar, raised $325 million in an initial public offering.

While acquisitions won’t be restricted to a particular industry or geography, the firm expects to focus on a financial services company with operations in Africa, Atlas Mara said a statement today. Citigroup Inc. was sole coordinator and bookrunner for the London IPO.