Industry
FRANCE - Investors discuss future of PAI fund
PAI partners' investors are meeting up today in Paris to discuss the future of the investment house. The meeting follows the departures of chief executive Dominique Mégret and executive committee member Bertrand Meunier which triggered the key-man clause...
EUROPE - Entertainment Capital Advisers launched
Premila Hoon, former global head of media and entertainment structured finance at Societe Generale, has co-founded Entertainment Capital Advisors (ECA), a specialist media and entertainment strategic and financial advisory firm.
On a code to nowhere
With banks coming down hard on portfolio companies breaching their covenants, the BVCA is trying to quell the situation by producing a code of conduct. Doubts abound that the code will have an effect, writes Deborah Sterescu
Q&A - Martin Day, Managing director, OMERS Private Equity
Deborah Sterescu speaks to Martin Day, managing director of OMERS Private Equity about what went wrong during the boom years and what both LPs and GPs are doing better now
Now more than ever, it's who you know
Private equity has always been about backing strong management. A look at Graphite Capital's recent track record highlights how recycling talent is vital. Kimberly Romaine reports
CZECH REPUBLIC - Enterprise Investors opens in Prague
CEE-focused private equity house Enterprise Investors (EI) has opened a new office in Prague, which will be headed up by Ivan Jakubek.
Pinstriped chameleons
For many private equity firms, distressed debt investors are becoming the elephant in the room. As banks syndicate debt down or offload it, much of it ends up in the hands of hedge funds and other opportunistic investors, some of whom use that position...
Divesting distress
A recent legal case has revealed a renewed focus by French courts on vendor liability post-sale, which has strong implications for private equity firms looking to divest troublesome assets. Ashley Wassall reports
Q&A: Katharina Lichtner
Managing director and Head of Research at Capital Dynamics
Strange bedfellows
Not so long ago, corporates and private equity firms were arch rivals in many hotly contested auctions. Could the lack of liquidity in today's market, volatility and poor visibility encourage erstwhile contenders to consider joining forces?
Slow but steady ..
Having bucked the wider European trend throughout much of 2008, French buyout activity has tailed-off of late. However, there is evidence to suggest that the market may soon turn back, writes Francois Rowell
The Big 3
Rikke Lilla Eckhoff talks to Katharina Lichter, a managing director and head of research at Capital Dynamics, about succession issues, spin-out teams and the bid-ask spread on secondaries
Mad not to invest?
Of the few Nordic buyouts completed this year, three have been in healthcare services. Traditionally a government funded sector, healthcare offers plenty of opportunity for private equity value-add, but investors should tread carefully. Rikke Eckhoff...
Cause for optimism
Q2 figures from unquote" show that deal activity in the Nordic region is picking up. Rikke Lilla Eckhoff takes a closer look at the numbers
Leading the way
LDC's Darryl Eales talks to unquote's Emanuel Eftimiu about the challenges of investing in a disrupted market
The forgotten market
Debt markets have re-opened. Pity so few know
A law of unintended consequences
Adam Levin, partner at international law firm Dechert LLP, discusses the potential implications of the EU Commission's proposed directive
A new model of investing
These days deals are about patience and graft with a view to de-risking and monetising old-fashioned value-add, writes Deborah Sterescu
EUROPE - Candover reports further NAV decline; Buffin steps down
Bealeagured buyout firm Candover today released its interim management statement, which reveals a further 12% decline in NAV and sweeping changes to the firm's management.
GERMANY - BVK study reveals German private equity disadvantaged
A new report initiated by the BVK has revealed that private equity in Germany is being placed a competitive disadvantage to both the US and other EU countries by a lack of tax transparency and cumbersome legislation.
LP perspectives
Following the downturn in the markets, the balance of power between GPs and LPs has shifted, giving LPs greater control. Deborah Sterescu speaks to three LPs to find out how their strategies and attitudes have changed