Southern Europe
Good business
Though environmental, social, and governance-driven investing may be winning more advocates - highlighted by signataries to the UN's PRI - we may still be a way from systematic implementation of a responsible investment strategy that goes beyond a commercial...
GLOBAL - KKR appoints Levin as head of IR; merger with KPE expected Thursday
KKR has appointed Jonathan Levin to the newly created position of head of investor relations, a move designed to prepare the private equity firm as it becomes a publicly listed company.
ITALY - Hal shows interest in Safilo's retail network
Reports suggest that Dutch group Hal Investments has shown interest in eyewear maker Safilo's retail network, with particular interest in the sales points in Spain, Mexico, US, Australia and China. a total of 327 sales points.
EUROPE - Baird expands institutional equity services team
Baird has hired Said DeSaque as director of institutional sales and investment strategy to be based in London.
GLOBAL - HSBC names Alternative Investments managing director
HSBC has promoted the present head of real estate at HSBC Alternative Investments, Chris Allen, to managing director of the unit.
SPAIN - DLJ acquires 25% stake in Santillana
According to a note from the Spanish regulator CNMV, DLJ South American Partners has acquired a 25% stake in education publishing house Santillana from its parent media group Prisa, in a deal that values the company at around EUR 1bn.
UK/EUROPE - Wellington leads $16m Livebookings funding
Pan-European venture capital firm Wellington Partners has led a $16m funding round for online restaurant marketing and reservations service Livebookings, along existing investors.
GREECE - Argo-backed On Telecoms acquires Vivodi
On Telecoms, a telecommunications business backed by UK-based investor Argo Capital Management, has acquired broadband services provider Vivodi Telecom.
UK/EUROPE - Impax appoints head of sales
Environmentally focused Aim-listed investor Impax Asset Management has appointed John McDonald as head of sales and marketing.
GLOBAL - Carlyle appoints vice chairman of global buyouts
International private equity firm Carlyle Group has appointed Gregory Summe to the newly created position of vice chairman of global buyouts.
EUROPE - Oak Hill appoints new European head
Oak Hill Advisors has appointed Alexandra Jung as co-head of the firm's European business based in London.
GREECE - Apax, TPG consider Wind Hellas debt
Apax Partners and TPG are considering investing new money into Greek telecom giant Wind Hellas (formerly TIM Hellas) as the company looks to restructure its EUR 3.2bn debt pile.
ITALY - BlueGem and MPS acquire Neomobile
UK-based private equity fund BlueGem and existing investor MPS Venture have acquired a controlling stake in mobile marketing business Neomobile.
ITALY/SPAIN - Investindustrial boosts investment team
Buyout house Investindustral has appointed Antonio Casari to its investment team.
EUROPE - ML Capital launches alternative assets advisory service
ML Capital has today launched an alternative assets advisory and business solution service, dedicated to advising private equity and hedge fund managers on how to meet current market expectations.
ITALY - S+R and Alcedo to sell GTS to Alfaparf
It is understood that S+R Investimenti e Gestioni and Alcedo Sgr have agreed to sell their combined 72% stake in cosmetics company GTS Group to trade buyer Alfaparf, in a deal estimated at EUR50-60m.
EUROPE - Growth Capital to take the lead in 2010
In a market starved for debt, growth capital investments are in line to become the favoured deal type of 2010, as highlighted in Nordic editor Rikke Eckhoff's interview with Louis Elson, co-founder and managing partner of Palamon Capital Partners. See...
EUROPE – Specialist or generalist ?
"We will see a shift from local generalist funds to global sector specialists," said Simon Havers, BVCA chairman and managing director of Baird Capital Partners Europe. He was speaking at this morning's Capital Creation panel, which debated the future...
SPAIN - Crédit Agricole in EUR 3.75m round for ERA Biotech
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has led a series-B investment round for ERA Biotech, raising EUR 3.75m from existing backers BcnHighgrowth, Axis, and Uninvest as well as private investors.
SPAIN - Atlas Capital acquires Serviocio
Atlas Capital Private Equity has completed the first acquisition of its EUR 90m maiden fund, acquiring sports facilities management firm Serviocio. The company's management and founding partners retain a minority stake.
EUROPE – Remuneration a hot topic
A central theme this morning at the Capital Creation event was remuneration: As bankers worldwide prepare for their compensation packages to shrink, many in the private equity industry are championing maintaining the high levels of salary and bonus paid...