Industry
Listed FOF coup: Mantra seeks Alpha
The latest bout of shareholder activism involves the well known Guy Wyser-Pratte and an attempt to dethrone Alpha Associates as manager of listed fund of funds Private Equity Holding.
PE jobs debate returns after Amdega collapse
The impact of private equity on job creation in the wider economy has always led to heated debates, being both hard to evaluate properly and politically sensitive. Recent news might revive the argument. Greg Gille reports
21 Partners set to launch Polish fund
21 Partners is looking to launch a dedicated Polish fund to take advantage of the investment opportunities it offers, according to reports.
Terra Firma planning £475m Odeon bond issue
Terra Firma is planning to refinance is Odean and UCI Cinema business with a £475m bond sale, according to reports.
Austria: High PE demand held back by lack of funds
While investors in Germany are experiencing a lack of companies willing to sell in the primary market, the situation in Austria is quite the opposite. An increasing demand for equity stands against a small pool of funds. Diana Petrowicz investigates.
Tagua hires Pau Bermúdez as managing partner
Newly constituted private equity firm Tagua Capital has appointed Pau Bermúdez as managing partner of its maiden fund, which aims to raise €120-150m.
Montana pioneered by Capital Dynamics spin-out
Highlighting the trend for increased liquidity in what is meant to be a long-term asset class, two executives from Capital Dynamics have left to launch a firm offering “innovative liquidity solutions”.
AFIC conference: Industry highlights tough year ahead
The major French players gathered in Paris today for the 14th annual conference of private equity association AFIC. Despite showing good signs of recovery, the French market still has daunting challenges to face in 2011. Greg Gille reports
Easter sees double secondaries deals
The Easter weekend has seen major developments in the secondaries market, with both HarbourVest and Eurazeo attempting to expand their presence through acquisitions. John Bakie reports
Blackstone looking to invest in Russia
Blackstone Group is taking a closer look at Moscow on the search for investment opportunities in energy, emerging markets and growth capital for small companies.
Interview: BVCA's Mark Florman
Mark Florman took over as CEO of the British private equity association BVCA in March. Fundraising, regulation, public image... Florman talks to Greg Gille about the challenges currently faced by the industry.
Private equity market contracts as larger buyouts remain sparse
The European private equity market shrunk to its lowest quarterly total in a year as transactions at the top end of the value spectrum remain conspicuous by their absence, according to figures from the latest unquote" Private Equity Barometer.
SVCA Conference: Nordic industry on the defensive
The private equity industry in Sweden has recently been subject to intense scrutiny by the media, despite being one of the strongest performing regions in terms of private equity returns in Europe. At the SVCA conference in Stockholm yesterday, professionals...
Corporate finance boutique Marsden Clark LLP established
Philip Marsden and Jim Clark have set up a new London-based corporate finance advisory boutique called Marsden Clark LLP.
Banks move to offer free placement services
Banks are taking on mandates to drive future revenues from ancillary services. But you pay for what you get: lesser established GPs will still need the hands-on approach independent advisers offer. Kimberly Romaine reports.
AFIC to reform governance
The French private equity association AFIC has launched a plan to reform its governance practices, according to French daily Les Echos.
Commercial due diligence: Under the microscope
Following the shocks of the financial crisis, banks are slowly returning to lending. However, given recent experiences they are scrutinising portfolio companies more intently than ever before, changing the role of due diligence. John Bakie investigates
IGC closes European operation
Swedish investment company Investor AB has restructured its venture capital arm, Investor Growth Capital (IGC).
Constellation Capital launches €100m fund
Constellation Capital has launched its first institutional fund, Constellation II German Small Cap Fund, targeting €100m.
Nordic unquote" Private Equity Index
The inaugural Nordic unquote" Private Equity Index, in association with KPMG, shows;
CEE deals, LP interest on the rise
The market in Central & Eastern Europe is picking up, with more deals expected and more LPs ready to back them.
Central and Eastern Europe – A Continuing Opportunity
Nearly two decades of investment history, superior returns, a universe of experienced fund managers – yet Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is neglected by many LPs. Henry Potter and Peter Wolfers of Alpha Associates discuss the characteristics of the...
Crowe Clark Whitehill appoints two
Crowe Clark Whitehill has appointed Wes Fell-Smith and Matteo Timpani to its corporate finance lead advisory team in London.
unquote" Annual Review 2013
The premier reference resource on European Buyouts