<a href="http://www.efinancialnews.com/search?mod=articlehyperlink&q=William+Ford">William Ford</a>, chief executive of growth private equity firm <a href="http://www.efinancialnews.com/search?mod=articlehyperlink&q=General+Atlantic">General Atlantic</a>, said on February 23 that the private equity sector was moving to a "very different investment environment". The 'silver lining' for the industry is that buyout firms may find it easier to purchase companies.