Southern Europe
PAI Partners looking to sell Yoplait stake
PAI Partners has put its 50% stake in French yoghurt maker Yoplait up for sale.
Enterprise Investors provide €7m for Webmedia Group
Enterprise Investors has provided тЌ7m for the Estonian software development company Webmedia Group.
AXA Private Equity acquires 50% stake in Autopista Trados 45
AXA Private Equity has acquired 50% of Spanish toll road operator Autopista Trados 45 from Cintra.
PE groups circle Spanish infrastructure asset
The Spanish utility firm Endesa, controlled by Italian giant Enel SpA, is reportedly examining the sale of 80% of its gas transport and distribution business in an effort to reduce the group's borrowings.
Goldman to retain private equity business
Goldman Sachs plans to retain its private equity business, despite recent congressional regulations restricting bank investments in alternative assets.
MCH Private Equity invests in Conservas Garavilla
MCH Private Equity has invested in canned fish producer Conservas Garavilla.
NBGI Private Equity acquires Praticdose
NBGI Private Equity has backed the management buy-in of French medical equipment provider Praticdose.
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.
Internet investments: Venture banking on social networks
Social networking has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years and the sectorтs 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...
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.
Naxicap invests €4m in Nord Sud Brasseries
Naxicap Partners has injected тЌ4m 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.
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.
High-Tech Gründerfonds et al. invest €400,000 in Chromotek
High-Tech GrУМnderfonds and Bayern Kapital have provided biotechnology company Chromotek with тЌ400,000.
KBC Arkiv supports Lumière Publishing
The joint subsidiary of KBC Private Equity and ARKimedes has acquired a stake in Belgian films distributor LumiУЈre Publishing.
Lead Equities backs German IT outsourcer SOLCOM
Lead Equities, has backed the buyout of German IT freelance agency SOLCOM, acquiring a 75% stake. No financial details have been disclosed.
unquote" British Private Equity Awards: deadline looming
With the submissions deadline for the unquote" British Private Equity Awards 2010 set for Monday 26 July at 6pm, there is only a short time left to put the final touches to your entry. Make sure your firm is in with a shout to be recognised for its achievements...