Industry
Phoenix nearly triples money on Nationwide sale to Halfords
Second exit in 2010 for Phoenix, Kimberly Romaine reports
To SBO or IPO, that is the question
Recent evidence has shown that for good companies the barren exit market of last year has been replaced by a tug-of-war between viable divestment routes, writes Emanuel Eftimiu
Q&A: Early-stage evolution
Bart Diels, partner at Belgian investor Gimv, speaks to Francinia Protti-Alvarez about how the venture market in the Benelux region has adapted to the changing economic climate.
Q&A: The fundraising fulcrum
Francois Rowell speaks to Mounir Guen, CEO of placement agent MVision, about the fundraising climate in 2010.
Hauck & Aufhäuser hires ten from Sal Oppenheim
Private bank Hauck & Aufhäuser has hired a team of ten financial professionals from Sal Oppenheim, headed by Wofram Schmerl, formerly managing director and head of the private bank's financial sponsors team.
Germany’s importance to grow as private equity recovers
Germany’s significance in terms of overall European private equity is set to increase in the coming years, with international funds indicating that they will target the region more over the next five years. Mareen Goebel reports.
Q&A: Germany remains strong at the core
Mareen Goebel speaks to Richard Burton, PricewaterhouseCooper's private equity leader for Germany, about the challenges facing the country's private equity market in the year ahead.
The only way is up: new poll reveals strong optimism for 2010
Most readers are optimistic for the year ahead - but cynics have good cause for concern. By Kimberly Romaine.
Apax, Permira-backed New Look abandons plans for IPO
Apax and Permira-backed New Look, the fashion retailer, has postponed its plans to launch an IPO due to "considerable volatility in the equity markets".
Q&A: Intermediate on high ground
Deborah Sterescu speaks to Christophe Evain, managing director of ICG, on expectations for recovery and why high-yield is not a long-term threat for mezzanine.
Matalan drops potential sale process
British discount retailer Matalan, which had attracted the likes of CVC, TPG, Blackstone, Advent International and BC Partners, has taken itself off the sale block.
Q&A: Spain's evasive buyout market
The Spanish buyout market has had to jump over many hurdles these past couple of years. Francinia Protti-Alvarez speaks to José Angel Sarasa, president and CEO at Baring Private Equity Partners España, on its present state and future challenges.
Pantheon acquired by AMG
Fund-of-funds manager Pantheon Ventures is to be acquired by US-based Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) for $775m.
General Atlantic appoints senior advisor for Europe
General Atlantic (GA) has appointed Mike McTighe as special advisor to the firm in Europe.
Q&A: Reaching the mezzanine level
Armada Mezzanine recently spun out of Eqvitec. Rikke Eckhoff catches up with managing partner Pertti Nurmio.
Q&A: views on the Spanish mid-market
Spanish mid-market player Nazca recently saw it’s cornerstone, Fortis, sell its stake to AlpInvest. The new investor simultaneously backed the buyout of Nazca from Fortis. Fracinia Protti-Alvarez speaks to Álvaro Mariátegui and Carlos Carbó from...
California mis-places the agents
CalPERS, CalSTERS trickier to access – but for the wrong reasons, reports Kimberly Romaine
Zeus-backed Air Energi acquires Pacifica HR
Zeus Private Equity-backed Air Energi Group, the international recruitment business specialising in the oil and gas industry, has made its first acquisition with the purchase of Pacifica HR, a Papua New Guinea-based HR consultancy.
PE hunts down bank bargains
Private equity is swooping in on banks' saleable assets in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to create a new banking platform. Deborah Sterescu reports.
Apax pockets PIK profit
As many predicted, the secondary debt market has in fact proven lucrative for private equity firms as Apax Partners prepares to reap the rewards of buying into the debt of portfolio company New Look. Deborah Sterescu investigates
Osmond's Horizon Acquisition makes £418m LSE debut
Hugh Osmond, the man behind such ventures as Pizza Express and Punch Taverns, launched his investment vehicle on the London Stock Exchange yesterday, managing to raise £418m to invest in distressed companies.
C.I.C completes purchase of Apax stake
The China Investment Corporation has received approval from the FSA to buy a 2.3% stake in Apax Partners for a reported $956m.
Water investing: money on tap?
Water is back on tap as two companies in the area have generated interest from private equity this week, reports Deborah Sterescu.