Southern Europe
Explorer Investments closes fund at €270m
Portuguese private equity firm Explorer Investments has held a final close of its third fund at €270m.
Mezzanine: Waiting for the rain
Mezzanine players have endured a drought for some time now. The first rain clouds may just have appeared on the horizon, as Emanuel Eftimiu finds out.
Blackstone et al consider BMN investment
Blackstone, Lone Star and Cerberus are among the private equity firms which have offered to invest in major Spanish financial group BMN.
Large exits up 60% year-on-year
So far, 2011 has seen a surge in exit activity for private equity funds, with large-scale divestments seeing a significant recovery in particular. John Bakie gives an overview
Southern Europe unquote" out now
The latest digital edition of Southern Europe unquote” is out now, bringing you all the latest deals, exits and analysis from the region.
Southern Europe unquote" May 2011
BC Partners has acquired 78.7% of Gruppo Coin as part of a pending take-private transaction. This represents an exit for PAI partners from the listed Italian apparel retailer.
Vision Capital acquires portfolio from Banco Popolare
Vision Capital has acquired a portfolio of assets from Italian retail bank Banco Popolare.
Swathe of PE exits expected this year
Private equity firms are looking to exit a large number of their portfolio companies in the coming 12 months, according to Grant Thornton UK's latest Private Equity Barometer.
PE jobs debate returns after Amdega collapse
The impact of private equity on job creation in the wider economy has always led to heated debates, being both hard to evaluate properly and politically sensitive. Recent news might revive the argument. Greg Gille reports
Gala in talks to sell Núcleo
Gala Capital is in advanced talks with engineering group Duro Felgueras about a possible sale of its portfolio company Núcleo de Comunicaciones y Control.
Cinven-backed Avio to launch IPO
Italian aerospace engine maker Avio, a portfolio company of London-based private equity firm Cinven, is said to be keen to launch an initial public offering “as soon as possible”.
N+1 in talks to acquire 20% of CRC
N+1 Private Equity and Dinamia are in talks to acquire a 20% stake in Catalan medical diagnosis company CRC Corporació Sanitària via a capital increase of €10-12m.
Deutsche unquote" out now
The latest digital edition of Deutsche unquoteт is out now, packed with all the latest funds, deals and features in the region.
Bridgepoint in talks to buy La Gardenia
Buyout house Bridgepoint is in negotiations with L Capital and Ergon Capital Partners about a possible purchase of their 100% stake in cosmetics business La Gardenia.
Austria: High PE demand held back by lack of funds
While investors in Germany are experiencing a lack of companies willing to sell in the primary market, the situation in Austria is quite the opposite. An increasing demand for equity stands against a small pool of funds. Diana Petrowicz investigates....
Tagua hires Pau Bermúdez as managing partner
Newly constituted private equity firm Tagua Capital has appointed Pau Bermúdez as managing partner of its maiden fund, which aims to raise €120-150m.
Interview: ASCRI's Maite Ballester
The Spanish private equity association (ASCRI) has renewed its efforts to promote venture and finally created separate platforms for its membership. Susannah Birkwood speaks to Maite Ballester, the partner and managing director of 3i Spain and president...
SJ Berwin names eight to partnership
SJ Berwin has promoted eight of its lawyers to partner.
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.
GED Capital appoints Javier Echarri as managing partner
Spain-based investor GED Capital has appointed Javier Echarri, former head of the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA), as managing partner.
Atitlán Capital backs sports centre
Atitlán Capital has backed specialist sports company Esportinat in creating a new leisure company, Demmero Group 21.