What was making the news one, five and 10 years ago? The chief executive of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association announced plans to step down, now-collapsed US bank Bear Stearns was among several hiring for distressed debt business, and JP Morgan Chase was set to cull thousands more staff.

1 year ago Private equity figures praised the work done by Simon Walker as he announced plans to step down as chief executive of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. Walker, credited with successfully defending the industry against a raft of negative newsflow, re-emerged last week as the next director general of the trade body for UK company directors. Pushing for business growth and competitiveness will be his top priorities.