France
GLOBAL - Terra Firma to bid for AIG's aircraft leasing unit
Private equity house Terra Firma is reportedly one of three groups that will bid for American International Group Inc's aircraft leasing business, International Lease Finance Corp.
FRANCE - 360 and Gant invest EUR 1m into Vupen Security
360 Capital Partners and Gant & Partners have injected EUR 1m into Vupen Security, a security research company that advises on potential IT threats.
FRANCE - UFG PE invests EUR 5m into Arkadin
UFG Private Equity, via its funds FCPI Diadième III and IV, has invested EUR 5m into Arkadin, a provider of audio and web conferencing services, in a third round of funding.
Don't let the sun set on your LP relationships
Diversification and communication are the best ways to ensure a smooth ride with your investors in CEE as in the rest of Europe. Kimberly Romaine reports
Insolvency legislation: adapting to change
The difficult economic outlook has prompted a series of changes to European insolvency laws, but are they sufficient? Charles Noel-Johnson of Close Brothers gives his insight.
EUROPE - Andrew Hartley makes secondary move
In a further sign of the sea change in the industry, August Equity founder and former managing director Andrew Hartley has joined Chamonix Private Equity, a direct secondaries player founded in 2006 when it took over a buyout portfolio from 3i.
EUROPE - 3i considers issuing new shares
3i is considering a rights issue in an effort to reduce its debt pile, which totalled ТЃ2.1bn in December.
GLOBAL - KKR delays merger with European fund, again
Reports suggest that KKR has again delayed plans to merge with its Amsterdam-listed fund KKR Private Equity Investors (KPE).
FRENCH - Cleary Gottlieb strengthens team
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has appointed Claudia Annacker as a partner at the firms Paris office.
GLOBAL - HarbourVest closes secondary fund on $2.9bn
HarbourVest Partners has held a final close of Dover Street VII LP, a global secondary fund, on $2.9bn.
EUROPE - Investment continues downward slide
The retrenchment of the European private equity industry has reached troughs not seen since Q3 1996, according to the unquote" Q1 2009 Private Equity Barometer, produced in association with Candover. It reveals that the total value of transactions fell...
End of the line for large cap funds...
With large-cap investors currently stifled by concerns over LP liquidity and a lack of debt financing while the value of their incumbent portfolio's drop sharply, many are prophesising the end of the road for the space. By Ashley Wassall
Night of the living debt
How the recession caught the private equity industry by surprise. Rikke Lilla Eckhoff speaks to professor Tim Jenkinson, contributing author to the European Economic Advisory Group report of the European Economy 2009
Mezz gets set to face challenges
With financing options remaining limited, many continue to assert that there are opportunities aplenty for mezzanine houses in the current market. However, there are still a range of obstacles to be overcome, writes Ashley Wassall
FRANCE - ING Parcom PE recruits associate
ING Parcom Private Equity has recruited Vincent Warlop as an associate.
FRANCE - Finama PE becomes Groupama PE
Finama Private Equity, a subsidiary of Groupama, has changed its name to Groupama Private Equity.
FRANCE - Avenir and SocGen support Capitaine Fracasse MBI
Avenir Entreprises and Société Générale Capital Partenaires have purchased an equal minority stake in boat restaurant operator Capitaine Fracasse in an MBI deal alongside manager Olivier Jamey.
FRANCE - Acto Capital strengthens team
Acto Capital, an investment arm of Groupama Priavte Equity, has recruited four new people to its investment team.
GLOBAL - First Reserve closes Fund XII on $9bn
US-based energy dedicated private equity house First Reserve Corporation has closed its twelth fund just short of $9bn - significantly below its $12bn target. The fund had a previous closing in July 2008.
FRANCE - Avenir and Siparex back Sushi West
Avenir Entreprises and the Siparex Proximité 3 fund have invested an undisclosed sum into Sushi West, a fast food sushi restaurant chain, taking a minority stake in the company.
GLOBAL - Morgan Stanley raises $1.14bn fund
Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners (AIP), the fund-of-funds division of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, has raised Private Markets Fund IV, a $1.14bn vehicle.
FRANCE - LBO France to purchase Idex
LBO France has signed an agreement with IK Investment Partners to purchase energy company Idex.
FRANCE - ENEX supports Louise Entreprises
Geneva-based ENEX Group has backed perfume company Louise Entreprises with an investment valued at between EUR 1-8m.