Wilhelm will become financial managing director of Terra Firma's “dedicated renewables team” from January.

The hiring of Wilhelm – a former president of the European PhotovoltaicIndustries Association lobbying group – further underscores Terra Firma’saggressive push into renewables, and may hint towards a bigger role for solar energy in the firm's future.

The London-based private-equity firm intends to raise nearly£1bn later this month by floating a significant chunk of UK renewablesdeveloper Infinis on the London Stock Exchange.

The