France
Ibersuizas closes in on Multiasistencia
Press reports suggest that the Madrid-based later stage investor Ibersuizas has signed heads of agreement over the buyout of Multiasistencia, Spain's leading provider of business process outsourcing services to the financial and corporate sector.
Recruitment: Tough times poaching top talent
Private equity houses have, it seems, been on a recruitment spree hiring many junior professionals after a two-year lull, as they veer into deal making again and poach top-tier resources from banks. However, they may be in for bumpy ride as banks put...
Consortium invests SEK 17m in Barista
Almi Invest, Alveco Invest and six business angels have provided SEK 17m expansionary capital for the coffee chain, Barista Fair Trade Coffee.
Standard & Poor's downgrades Wendel rating
Listed investment company Wendel saw its long-term credit rating downgraded from BB to BB- by Standard & Poor's (S&P) today.
Endless employs Kerry Swain
The turnaround fund, Endless LLP, has appointed Kerry Swain as investment executive for its Leeds office.
France unquote" August/September 2010
Following subdued deal activity in May, France saw a strong increase in early-stage and expansion transactions in June. In the last few weeks, unquote” has covered 16 such deals, doubling May’s total. However, the French market is still lagging behind...
Internet investments: Venture banking on social networks
Social networking has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years and the sector’s biggest player, Facebook, is this week set to announce it has 500 million users. However, there remain doubts over whether social networking can be profitable, but this has...
Canadian Onex and CPPIB offer $4.37bn for Tomkins
Canadian private equity investor, Onex Corp and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) have reportedly offered $4.37bn for UK components manufacturer Tomkins.
Connection Capital invests in budget hotel operator
Connection Capital has completed its first investment, a £1.2m growth capital investment in budget hotel operator Sleeperz Hotels Limited.
Permira-backed Birds Eye Iglo acquires Findus Italy
Permira-backed Birds Eye Iglo has agreed to acquire the frozen food producer Findus Italy from Unilever.
MJ Hudson heads new generation of law firms
Matthew Hudson has formed new law firm MJ Hudson LLP, which will provide legal advice on the formation of specialist investment funds and the structuring of deals.
Grant Thornton promotes corporate finance lead
Dominic Bolton has been promoted to lead Grant Thornton’s corporate finance media and entertainment division.
Naxicap invests €4m in Nord Sud Brasseries
Naxicap Partners has injected €4m in chef Paul Bocuse's Nord Sud Brasseries.
Deutsche Bank to offload Sal Oppenheim private equity funds
Deutsche Bank is looking to sell Sal Oppenheim's private equity fund portfolio, with an estimated value of $500m-1bn according to reports.
ECI bids for UK mobile entertainment technology company Win
ECI Partners is reportedly in talks to invest in UK mobile entertainment technology company Win Plc.
KKR in lukewarm IPO
The US listing of global private equity investor, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), got off to a lukewarm start with shares losing 2.9% on the first day of trading.
Fundraising: GPs face uphill climb
The wheels of the industry are gradually grinding into motion, with some notable fundraisings in 2010 so far. With activity expected to pick up, what awaits the European GPs looking to refill their coffers later in 2010 or into 2011? Julian Longhurst...
Talks over Candover Investment Plc takeover terminated
A statement issued today by Candover Investments Plc confirmed that discussions with a potential bidder for the company have been terminated.
Gimv and KBC sell Microtherm
Gimv, KBC and Sofindev have exited their stake in Belgian thermal insulation materials manufacturer Microtherm Engineered Solutions. The financial details have not been disclosed.
Fairfield scraps IPO plans
Fairfield has become the latest high-profile private equity-backed company to scrap initial public offering (IPO) plans, shelving its planned £715m flotation on the London Stock Exchange.
Nauta Capital et al. invest $9m in Flirtomatic
Nauta Capital, Doughty Hanson and Seraphim Capital have reportedly backed cross-platform flirting service, Flirtomatic, with $9m in a series-C funding.
High-Tech Gründerfonds et al. invest €400,000 in Chromotek
High-Tech Gründerfonds and Bayern Kapital have provided biotechnology company Chromotek with €400,000.
Catapult exits R5 Pharmaceuticals
Catapult has exited its stake in R5 Pharmaceuticals, marking its second divestment this year.
KBC Arkiv supports Lumière Publishing
The joint subsidiary of KBC Private Equity and ARKimedes has acquired a stake in Belgian films distributor Lumière Publishing.