France
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
Interview: AIFI's Anna Gervasoni
Anna Gervasoni has been the general manager of AIFI – the Italian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association – since 1986. She talks to Susannah Birkwood about challenges past, opportunities to come and the “tragic” state of the Italian IPO market....
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
Escape from captivity
Erstwhile captives now form the backbone of Europe’s mid-market. But success is not a foregone conclusion, as a handful of firms have illustrated. Spain's Portobello Capital is the latest to test the waters. Susannah Birkwood investigates.
France unquote" April 2011
Astorg Partners has closed its fifth fund on a €1.05bn hardcap. Astorg V was launched in September 2010 with an €800m target and attracted strong interest from LPs.
I&F and Vivéris back Médiane MBI
Initiative & Finance (I&F) and Vivéris Management have backed the management buy-in of French software developer Médiane - a deal that values the business at less than €10m.
AXA PE mulling Skyrock sale
AXA Private Equity is currently weighing its options to divest its 70% stake in French radio station Skyrock.
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.
VCT fundraising – a bumper year?
This yearтs ТЃ365m total fell short of some estimates for VCT fundraising activity. However the sum hides some very positive developments for the industry: namely a relaxation of investment rules, as well as a reinforcement of the delineation of the Best...
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...
Activa buys Abrisud from AtriA
Activa Capital has acquired Abrisud, a French manufacturer of swimming pool enclosures, from AtriA Capital Partenaires.
Two partners leave AtriA
Edouard Thomazeau and Thibaut de Chassey have resigned from their positions as partners at French mid-cap firm AtriA Capital Partenaires.
unquote" Annual Review 2013
The premier reference resource on European Buyouts
21 Centrale Partners acquires Forma-Dis
21 Centrale Partners has bought French distance learning company Forma-Dis for around €100m, according to media reports.
Carlyle circling Gores-owned Sagem
Carlyle is in talks with The Gores Group to acquire Sagem Communications, a French manufacturer of network equipment and television set-top boxes, according to media reports.
France unquote" out now
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Cinven to take a further 30% of Camaïeu
Modacin France, a holding company owned by Cinven, has offered to acquire a further 30% of listed French clothing company Camaïeu and now plans to take it private.
21 Centrale Partners set to buy Planet Sushi
21 Centrale Partners is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Planet Sushi, a French chain of sushi restaurants, according to media reports.
Apollo listing raises $565m
Apollo Global Management has raised $565m in a delayed IPO.
Barclays PE and LBO France exit Converteam in $3.2bn trade sale
Barclays Private Equity and LBO France have sold 90% of French power conversion and engineering company Converteam to General Electrics for $3.2bn - around 13x EBITDA.
Altamir Amboise joins LPEQ
Listed vehicle Altamir Amboise has become the first French member of LPEQ, the industry association of listed private equity investment companies.
PAI in exclusive talks to buy Kiloutou
PAI partners is set to acquire French construction equipment rental company Kiloutou from Sagard.
France unquote" March 2011
PAI partners has sold its 50% stake in French yoghurt maker Yoplait to General Mills, in a deal that values the company at €1.6bn. The French private equity firm should reap a little over €800m for its stake.