Southern Europe
UK/ITALY - Permira's BirdsEye and Lion's Findus interested in Findus Italy
According to reports, Permira-backed Birds Eye Iglo and Lion Capital's Findus Group are among the interested bidders for Unilever's frozen food unit Findus Italy.
EUROPE - EVCA report shows sharp rise in turnaround deals
While investment activity in 2009 has slowed significantly, new research published by the EVCA today shows that the downturn has provided a sharp rise in turnaround opportunities, which were up 40% in the first nine months of this year against the same...
GLOBAL - LPs sound warning over private equity performance
A new report has provided a damning assessment of LP confidence in private equity as an asset class, revealing dissatisfaction over performance and new demands in relation to due diligence and reporting. By Ashley Wassall
SPAIN - PE-backed Amadeus seeks to amend debt prior to listing
Reports suggest that BC Partners- and Cinven-backed travel agency Amadeus is in negotiations with its lenders to amend the terms on its EUR 5bn debt pile prior to its planned flotation.
EUROPE - Mourant acquired by State Street to create PE servicing giant
European fund administrator Mourant International Finance Administration has been acquired by financial services giant State Street Corporation for an undisclosed sum.
GLOBAL - Carlyle to change terms on its fifth fund
It is understood that Carlyle Group is the latest private equity firm to appease its investors by agreeing to several changes to terms on its fifth fund, Carlyle Partners V, including a split on transaction fees, limits on the amount of debt investments...
SPAIN - CAI to remain in Imaginarium
CAI Desarrollo Empresarial, the private equity arm of savings bank Caja de Ahorros de la Inmaculada, is to retain its holding in childrens toy retailer Imaginarium when it floats on Mercado Alternativo Bursátil, Madrid's alternative investment market,...
SPAIN - BC to divest Teknon
It is understood that BC Partners has put Barcelona-based healthcare business Teknon on the block, with the investor reportedly seeking a price tag of between EUR 140-160m.
EUROPE - Delving into fair value
With the recent market turmoil and lack of comparables, fair value remains a complicated accounting principle. In a recent video interview, Nordic unquote" editor Rikke Eckhoff discusses the implication of this principle for the industry with PricewaterhouseCoopers...
ITALY - Bridgepoint and Axa make EUR600m bid for Snai
Bridgepoint and Axa Private Equity have made a EUR600m takeover bid for debt-laden Snai, Italy's largest betting shop operator.
EUROPE - Revised Directive angers trade bodies
Another chapter has been added to the long-running saga of the EU Commission's AIFM Directive, with a new report calling for a removal of all fund size exemption thresholds sparking anger within the industry. By Ashley Wassall
EUROPE - Revised Directive angers trade bodies
Another chapter has been added to the long-running saga of the EU Commission's AIFM Directive, with a new report calling for a removal of all fund size exemption thresholds sparking anger within the industry. By Ashley Wassall
SPAIN - Corpfin takes 65% stake in Sinaer
Corpfin Capital has acquired a 65% stake in aeronautics services firm Sinaer, in a deal valued at EUR 3m.
ITALY - Helio Capital and Siliken sign agreement for PV development
Renewable energy investor Helio Capital has signed an agreement with renewable energy solutions firm Siliken Italia for the development of six photovoltaic farms with total output of 6 MW.
GLOBAL - Apollo prepares to list on NYSE; revenues rise
Private equity house Apollo Global Management has revealed that its revenues rose in the third quarter as the firm plans its move to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
EUROPE - Wilson succeeds Russell as EVCA chairman
Apax partner Richard Wilson has been named the new chairman of the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (EVCA), succeeding Jonathan Russell of 3i.
EUROPE - JC Flowers makes two senior appointments in its London office
US buyout firm JC Flowers has made two appointments to its London office. Dr. David Morgan replaces Ravi Sinha as managing director for JCF Europe and Asia Pacific, and former FSA chairman, Sir Callum McCarthy, joins as chairman of JCF Europe, a newly...
ITALY - Alpha hires associate for Italian team
Alpha Groupe has appointed Francesco Rossi as associate to its Italian buyout and development capital team.
SPAIN – CAI-backed Imaginarium to list on MAB
Children's toy retailer Imaginarium, backed by the Caja de Ahorros Inmaculada private equity arm, CAI Desarrollo Empresarial, is due to list on the alternative market in Madrid, the Mercado Alternativo Bursátil (MAB).
EUROPE - TowerBrook, LPs address credit gap with lending unit
LPs started the year defaulting on capital calls and sending letters to GPs asking (or demanding) they refrain from drawing money. What a difference a year makes - now most are honouring their commitments (though the calls are admittedly few and far between)...
PORTUGAL - Espírito Santo Capital acquires 30% of Amal Group
Espírito Santo Capital has acquired a 30% stake in tube and silo maker Amal Group.
ITALY – HAL-backed Safilo recap uncertain
Dutch investor HAL Holding today announced that it will extend the offer to eyewear manufacturer Safilo's bondholders to 27 November, as currently only 43.01% of bonds were tendered, versus the 60% acceptance rate HAL reportedly requires to complete its...
EUROPE - EVCA adopts new governing structure
The European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association has today announced the adoption of a new governing structure, including the creation of a Public Affairs Executive (PAE), designed to allowthe industry to "speak with one voice".
ITALY - 360 Capital Partners to float Yoox
As reported in the most recent edition of Southern Europe unquote" , the flotation of online clothes & accessories retailer Yoox, which backed by 360 Capital Partners, has gone ahead, with the firm expecting to raise up to EUR 226m.