Southern Europe
Private equity consortium looks to take Sorin private
A consortium comprised of Ares Life Sciences AG, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures UK, Intesa SanPaolo and Alpha Private Equity Funds has requested permission to carry out an exclusive due diligence process on healthcare business Sorin Group.
KRS appoints Arcano to manage European PE investments
US limited partner The Kentucky Retirement System (KRS) has mandated Spanish asset management firm Arcano Capital with its European and Latin American private equity investments.
Carlyle and EDF launch green analysis tool
The Carlyle Group and Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) has launched EcoValuScreen, a green analysis tool to be used in the due diligence processes before making an investment.
Doughty Hanson appoints Marquardt as CEO
European private equity firm Doughty Hanson has named Stephen Marquardt as its chief executive.
Atomico closes second fund on $165m
Early-stage technology investor Atomico has closed its second fund, Atomico Ventures II, on $165m.
Novitas hires Vareika; opens Luxembourg office
Corporate finance advisory firm Novitas Partners has hired Michale Vareika to head up its new Luxembourg office.
Taking stock of asset-based lending
ABFA's latest stats show a decrease in asset-based lending last year. But there are promising signs that the demand for this product could rise in 2010. Deborah Sterescu reports.
Italy launches €1bn fund for SMEs
The Italian government and a group of private investors including Confindustria, the Italian Association of Banks (ABI) and the country’s three main financial institutions –Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit and MPS- have launched a €1bn fund to support...
Intesa and Innogest in €5m round for Silicon Biosystems
Atlante Ventures, the Venture Capital Fund of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, and Innogest Capital have co-led a €5m round of financing for Silicon Biosystems SpA.
CalSTRS appoints director of private equity
CalSTRS, the California State Teachers' Retirement System, has named Margot Wirth as director of its $16.8bn private equity portfolio.
EVCA survey points to AIFM danger
While many had been nervously anticipating the decision on the AIFM directive today, it seems that everyone will have to wait a little longer, as the topic was taken off the agenda at the EU finance ministers' meeting, in what is seemingly a positive...
Adveq hires Hricko and de Vaivre
Global fund-of-funds Adveq has appointed Tomas Hricko as head of its new product management and development team, and Alexandre de Vaivre as executive director and head of Adveq's European client relations.
Online retail added to basket
The retail sector has seen increasing dealflow of late with the online sub-sector remaining largely unaffected by economic woes. Mareen Goebel investigates
KKR plans $7.5bn IPO
KKR is planning an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, according to a regulatory filing today, giving the group a market capitalisation of $7.5bn.
The public-to-private riddle
Public-to-privates appear to be back in vogue. But why were they so conspicuously absent when stock prices were bottoming out and why are they back now on the back of a prolonged rally? Ashley Wassall investigates
EVCA conference: clear and present danger ahead
The EVCA conference examines the state of private equity and highlights the threat posed by the AIFM directive. Emanuel Eftimiu reports from Geneva
Ibersuizas to bid for SOS rice division
According to market sources, Spanish private equity investor Ibersuizas is set to present a bid for the rice division of food group SOS.
3i to sell Panreac
It is understood that 3i is preparing the sale of its Spanish chemical business Panreac.
Private equity puts retail on the shopping list
Quite surprisingly, the retail sector has been generating significant interest from private equity as of late, indicating that this area of the market has the potential to return to its pre-credit crisis glory. Deborah Sterescu reports.
Advent appoints operating partner for health sector
Advent International has appointed Christian Grenier as operating partner. He will provide advice on investment opportunities in the healthcare and specialty chemical sectors.
Miura acquires 80% stake in Gescobro
Miura Private Equity has acquired an 80% stake of the leading credit management services company Gescobro.
Demeter acquires 42% stake in Comarth
Demeter Partners has acquired a 42% stake in engineering firm Comarth, the fifth deal from their fund Demeter 2.
Advent names new head of LP services
Advent International has appointed Robert D Brown as managing director and global head of limited partner services.
Carlyle appoints Morgan Stanley's Petrick to new role
The Carlyle Group has hired Michael Petrick as managing director and global head of credit alternatives and capital markets.