Industry
Swiss tax treaties could open doors for further crackdowns
Sweden is the latest European country to sign a Rubik tax treaty with Switzerland. Sonnie Ehrendal reports
Trade bodies urge EU to reconsider pensions directive
EVCA and other European trade associations have released a joint statement urging the EU to reconsider plans for occupational pensions.
VCT MBOs must continue, says ICAEW
Proposed changes may strip VCTs’ of their ability to back buyouts – but this would have dire consequences, according to ICAEW’s CF head. Kimberly Romaine reports.
BVCA calls for more support for entrepreneurs
Ahead of the 2012 budget, the BVCA voices its concerns about the key issues in private equity.
Investments by regional funds
The volume of investments backed by regional initiatives has followed the general market curve of recent years: after the boom year of 2007, they plunged.
Disregard for antitrust compliance challenges PE
Antitrust allegations can lead to serious legal and financial struggles for GPs. Yet, antitrust compliance is still not a hot issue in private equity, according to Baker & McKenzie. Anneken Tappe reports
Quilvest closes two funds, launches new FoF
Global private equity manager Quilvest has raised in excess of $300m across two vehicles and is marketing a new $200m fund-of-funds.
GP commitments: PE houses feel the pressure
More than 80% of GPs are feeling pressure to up personal commitments to their funds, according to research by Investec.
GP consolidation in emerging markets
Middle Eastern private equity giant Abraaj Capital is buying emerging markets investor Aureos Capital.
Corporate divestments decline across Europe
As industry players remain cautious with regards to dealflow, unquote” data shows that the trend in domestic corporate divestments is heading downhill. Anneken Tappe reports
Palio Capital Partners raising debt fund for UK SMEs
Palio Capital Partners has secured a cornerstone investment from the European Investment Fund, raising a third of its anticipated £100m first close.
AFIC calls for staff stakes in PE-backed firms
French private equity trade body AFIC has drafted a proposal to simplify and extend the incentivisation mechanism for employees of PE-backed businesses.
EU due to issue white paper on pensions directive
The European Commission will release a white paper in reaction to technical advice for the IORP Directive.
CalPERS appeals for higher capital gains tax
Joe Dear of CalPERS has voiced his support of an increase in capital gains tax that would hit the private equity industry.
Summit Partners opens India office
Private equity house Summit Partners has opened a new office in Mumbai, India, as part of efforts to help portfolio companies expand there.
KKR buys nursing home debt
KKR has purchased part of the loans of UK nursing home operator Four Seasons Health Care Group Ltd.
Volcker responds to Dodd-Frank criticism
Paul Volcker has argued in a response paper that private equity investments should be separated from commercial banking activities.
Early-stage deal rate highest in Europe
A look at early-stage activity in 2011 across Europe shows the DACH region is consistently the strongest player in the early-stage market, followed by the UK & Ireland.
Gala Capital cornerstone investors pull out
Cornerstone investors in Spanish private equity firm Gala Capital have pulled out of further commitments, according to reports in the Spanish press.
Fragmented ecosystem hampering European venture
The debate surrounding the high returns enjoyed by Silicon Valley investors compared to their European counterparts continues. But why do stateside investments traditionally reap higher returns than those in European startups, and what needs to change...
Dow Schofield Watts opens Leeds office
Corporate finance advisers Dow Schofield Watts have opened a Leeds office, to be headed up by Roger Esler.
Could high-yield bonds tackle the refinancing wall?
The wall of refinancing, the burden of LBO debt set to mature in the next two years, is uncomfortably close, leaving the private equity industry to come up with a new structured product to preserve the credit line. But as the industry looks towards the...
Introducing unquote” analysis
In the next few days a new magazine with a familiar logo will be landing on the desks of private equity professionals across Europe, unquote” analysis.
Pinsent Masons and McGrigors set to merge
International law firm Pinsent Masons and UK firm McGrigors have agreed to merge, while keeping the trade name Pinsent Masons.