Southern Europe
ITALY - Sator acquires 40% of Baglioni Hotels
Financial group Sator has acquired a 40% stake in Baglioni Hotels in a deal valued at EUR 30m.
SPAIN - Private equity reports 37% drop
According to figures released by ASCRI, private equity investment during the first semester of 2008 totalled EUR 1.27bn, a 37% drop from the same period last year.
SPAIN - Thesan appoints four new executives
Turnaround specialist Thesan Capital has appointed four new executives, including three former Lehman Brothers employees.
ITALY - Figures suggest investment activity remains strong
Italian private equity does not appear to have slowed following last year’s record high figures, with the first semester of 2008 seeing investments totalling EUR 2bn recorded, according to preliminary statistics released by AIFI.
GLOBAL - KKR hires new MENA head
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) has appointed Makram Azar as managing director and head of Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
ITALY - 21 Investimenti closes second fund on EUR 280m
21 Investimenti, the private equity investment arm of the Benetton family, has closed its second fund, 21 Investimenti II, on EUR 280m, exceeding the initial target by 40%.
SPAIN - Qualitas acquires 20% stake in Tuenti
Market rumour suggests that Qualitas Equity Partners has acquired a 20% stake in social networking site Tuenti.
SPAIN - Sabadell and Caja Navarra back lighting manufacturer
Sabadell’s, through its fund Aurica XXI, and Corporación Caja Navarra have signed an agreement to acquire a 30% stake in lighting specialist J Feliu de la Penya, reports suggest.
SPAIN - Scope invests EUR 6.5m in Artificial Solutions
According to reports, Swedish fund Scope has invested EUR 6.5m in a series A financing round for software developer Artificial Solutions, taking a 24% stake in the business.
SPAIN - Mercapital acquires 50% of Bodybell
Mercapital has acquired a 50% stake in fragrance specialist Bodybell as part of a EUR 58m capital increase. The remaining 50% will be held by incumbent shareholder N+1.
SPAIN - Platina backs solar projects
Platina has invested EUR 128m in two photovoltaic projects in Andalusia: Cantillana and El Coronil II. The financing comes from Platina’s Mistral Energy II renewables fund through its subsidiary Anemoi, which will manage both projects.
SPAIN - Close Brothers acquires Atlas Capital
Corporate finance firm Close Brothers has acquired the remaining 55% stake in Atlas Capital Investment Bankers from the management for an undisclosed sum. The business will be re-branded Atlas Capital Close Brothers.
SPAIN - Livingstone Partners appoints new partner
Livingstone Partners has appointed Bill McDonald as partner.
SPAIN - Diana Capital reaps 3.1x from Indal sale
Diana Capital has sold its stake in lighting manufacturer Indal to Caja Duero for EUR 25m, reaping a 3.1x money multiple and a 25% IRR.
SPAIN - Carlyle interested in Riofisa
According to reports, Carlyle is among several groups that have shown an interest in acquiring property developer Riofisa, one of the assets placed on sale by troubled Spanish real estate asset manager Colonial.
SPAIN - Ysios reaches first closing on EUR 67m
Ysios Capital Partners has reached the first closing of its maiden fund, Ysios BioFund I, on EUR 67m, making it the largest biotech fund currently operating in the Spanish market.
ITALY - Equilybra reaches first closing on EUR 26m
Equilybra Capital Partners has announced the first closing of its maiden fund on EUR 26m. The vehicle expects to reach EUR 60m in commitments over the next few months.
ITALY - Cape and Helio launch EUR 70m renewables fund
Cape Natixis and Helio Partners have launched Cape Helio, a EUR 70m vehicle designed to invest in solar energy plants in Italy.
GLOBAL - HIG appoints former Apax exec
HIG Capital has appointed Tim Armstrong as managing director.
SPAIN - SGCRE launches seed capital fund
Basque Country Government-backed Sociedad de Gestión de Capital Riesgo de Euskadi (SGCRE) has launched Ekintzaile XXI, a EUR 5m fund to support seed and start up projects located in the region.
ITALY - Ferretti to receive listing authorization
According to reports, Candover and Permira-backed yacht manufacturer Ferretti is to receive the Consob’s authorization to list the company in the London and Milan Stock Exchange.
SPAIN - Santander and Caléndula invest in Gecal
The Santander Group and private equity firm Caléndula de Inversiones have each acquired a 16% stake in renewable energy firm Sociedad Gestora de Parques Eólicos de Castilla y León (Gecal).
ITALY - Clessidra interested in Cerved
Market rumour suggests that Bain Capital Partners portfolio company Teamsystem-Lince and Clessidra are interested in making a joint bid for economic data provider Cerved.
SPAIN - Doughty faces competition over Seur
According to reports, Doughty Hanson is facing competition over its proposed acquisition of a stake in courier Seur from incumbent shareholder Geopost, a subsidiary of French postal service La Poste.