3i Saddened by Passing of US Managing Partner Tighe Sullivan

3i Group confirmed today that Tighe Sullivan passed away earlier this week.

Sullivan died in a helicopter crash on his way back from a corporate golf outing in the U.S., a 3i spokeswoman says. Sullivan, 51, was killed in Pennsylvania on Tuesday when his helicopter went down, Bloomberg News reports.

Sullivan co-founded WCAS Fraser Sullivan in 2005 along with John Fraser. In August, 3i announced a joint venture with WCAS Fraser Sullivan, a debt specialist, to launch a U.S. unit. Fraser and Sullivan were to be co-heads of 3i Direct Management once the deal was completed. They were expected to report to Jeremy Ghose, 3i DM’s managing partner and CEO.

3i, a U.K. private equity firm, said it was “saddened” by Sullivan’s passing and expressed their condolences to his family and friends. Sullivan joined 3i as managing partner of 3i Direct Management U.S.

“We are all shocked and saddened by this tragic loss,” Ghose said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Tighe’s family, friends and colleagues. I know how excited Tighe was to be part of 3i and, together with John Fraser and his colleagues, we will continue to build on the foundations he laid and to keep his memory in our hearts.”

Photo courtesy of WCAS Fraser Sullivan