Benelux
Colin Ellis joins BVCA as chief economist
The British Venture Capital Association (BVCA) has appointed Colin Ellis as its chief economist.
Nycomed requests further covenant relief
Swiss private equity-backed drug company Nycomed has asked its lenders for covenant relief as it looks at ways of managing its debts.
General Motors launches venture fund
General Motors has launched a $100m venture capital fund, targeting automotive-related technologies.
German industry: Getting the European economy working
Manufacturing is one of the most important sectors in the German economy, and the country's heavy industry base seems to be experiencing a revival as the global economy improves. As Europe's biggest manufacturer, the health of German industry is also...
AXA Private Equity's Sfinc acquires JADICO
AXA Private Equity's portfolio company Sfinc, a Belgian manufacturer of ingredients for the food processing industry, has acquired Netherlands-based JADICO.
CGS Management's Automatik in CHF 200m merger
CGS Management's German portfolio company Automatik Plastic Machinery has completed a CHF 200m merger with Swiss-based Maag Pump Systems, a gear pump manufacturer.
bcnHighgrowth invests €2m in Oonair
bcnHighgrowth has provided a €2m investment to expand media content company Oonair.
WorldPay: Bidders line up for quality asset
While European buyout activity has been on the up in early 2010, it has been largely restricted to mid-market deals: larger buyouts have hardly been seen since the financial crisis erupted, which makes the bidding war for RBS Global Merchant Services...
KBC cancels plans to sell private equity unit
KBC Group has abandoned plans to sell its private equity division, according to reports.
BeCapital closes first round of fundraising
Newly-launched fund BeCapital has raised €80.3m from more than 25 investors.
Strong private equity interest for Catalpa
According to reports six private equity houses have made a first offer for Dutch childcare provider Catalpa.
Renewable energy: When will activity match the spin?
There is clearly a buzz around the cleantech space in general and the renewable energy market in particular. And why not? After all if we are to face up to the challenges presented by global climate change we will need to invest massively in this area...
Fundraising: Funds trickle into the market
A raft of funds have recently closed, but it may come as a surprise to discover they broke their initial targets in a tough fundraising environment. HitecVision, Phoenix and Polaris have all successfully raised the capital they needed to start their latest...
HitecVision Asset Solutions closes on $420m
HitecVision has closed its latest fund at $420, more than $100 over its original target after four months of fundraising.
KBC drops talks on sale of private equity unit
Belgium-based KBC has dropped negotiations with AXA Private Equity and Sofina on the sale of its private equity business, according to reports.
Quilvest invests €4m in social media firm Vanksen
Luxembourg-based private equity firm Quilvest group has invested €4m into marketing communications agency Vanksen.
Private equity goes postal
Once again, British politicians are considering selling off some, or all, of the country’s state postal service, Royal Mail. Private equity bidders have been linked to past attempts to buy the company, and may yet swoop on the opportunity. Despite...
Scottish Widows adds Narcisa Sehovic to its PE team
Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) has hired Narcisa Sehovic as private equity investment manager for the Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe and Italian regions.
The Riverside Company appoints Vincent Daelemans
The Riverside Company has strengthened its European team with the appointment of Vincent Daelemans, who will take up the new position as vice president of origination for Benelux and France.
Morgan Stanley’s secondaries fund exceeds $500m target
Morgan Stanley's Global Secondary Opportunities Fund, has raised $585m, exceeding its $500m initial target.
AIFM Directive: The end is nigh
European finance ministers approved the Alternative Investment Fund Managers’ (AIFM) Directive yesterday, more than a year after the controversial regulations were first proposed. Despite this long process, many of the private equity industry’s objections...