Sources told Financial News private equity company BC Partners Ltd (formerly Baring Capital Investors Ltd) was preparing its initial public offering (IPO) for its Foxtons Ltd shares this August. The new schedule was moved a month earlier from its original IPO slated for September. The two people declined to be identified as discussions were private.

The sources who have knowledge of the matter also said that BC Partners could score as much as GBP 400 million or USD 617 million from the IPO. BC Partners acquired Foxtons in May 2007. The private equity firm paid GBP 390 million for the purchase. Jon Hunt established Foxtons, a real estate company, in 1981.

Moving the IPO in August would also enable the firm to get more money from investors ahead of other companies preparing September IPOs. Royal Mail Group Ltd and Wizz Air Ltd are set to hold IPOs this September. Representatives from both BC Partners and Foxtons did not comment on the reports.